Girl From Rio (2003)

Genre: Comedy
Rating: 15
Main Actor: Hugh Laurie
Main Actress: Vanessa Nunes
YouTube: Interview with Hugh Laurie

The film titles open to the sound of drums and brass instruments before fixing upon the face of Hugh Laurie reading a Samba magazine. Huge Laurie plays Raymond, an unsatisfied bank clerk with a love for samba and a wife who doesn't love him. After setting the scene in the wet and un-exotic London, and presenting a few laughs with the Samba class Raymond teaches, the pace quickly changes as Raymond embarks on a far reaching adventure in Rio. After all, what else would you do if your wife left you for your boss? In other words, things really should be taken with a pinch of salt...

The film maintains a rather simplistic outlook and does not over complicate matters with excessive quantities of characters. Hence, when in Rio, Raymond befriends a taxi driver and finds the professional samba dancer Orlinda, with whom much of the film is based. The only other character of significance is the local gangster, who acts as an obstacle to be overcome by Raymond and Orlinda.

Generally light-hearted, frequently amusing and in some cases rather silly, Girl From Rio offers simple entertainment value and a feel-good ending. The music is beautiful and the dancing is better than expected, although there isn't nearly enough of either considering Hugh Laurie's character is so completely samba obsessed that he flew all the way to Rio just to meet a dancer at Christmas. If you are looking for a deep and meaningful story, this isn't for you. But, if you just want a few laughs in a non-offensive way, then this is definitely a viable option.

Rating: 6/10