Load of rubbish!!

Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

The movie was shot in 2002 trying to create a bound with the scenario of 1995, Brazil, São Paulo - Pinheiros. At the beginning, this movie shows a sequence that exposes the production crew relation with the local neighbourhood, exhibiting the cast titles in medias that are very particular from that neighbourhood (street signs, restaurant menus, publicity places that are very faithful with that brazilian context time). The context is built on the transition of the LP's to Cd's as a media for music consumption, but the strong part of the film is built on characters and the environment itself. Some people may say that the movie goes to this "nosense" direction, but It makes a lot of sense with you take it from the characters point of view. Nowadays people may expect that every character on movies should take the most rational decision, as if they were thinking as you think (that is actually one of the main issues regarding movie critics). The piece starts showing the environment of that particular place and time, creating gaps (indications) for the spectator to dive in that context and get empathy with characters displayed on the movie. The scrip is very peculiar and consistent, if you look deeply you will see the retrospective of a lot of terms (speak lines) and visuals. The soundtrack is really amusing and reaches a variety of songs that nowadays are taken as Brazilian classics (All "gringos" (foreigners) that have come to são paulo and have gone to real cultural places have heard at least a half of that soundtracks ). - yep they are really good songs even that I have never heard them live. And thats the beauty of internet, you are able to create your own listening experience without ever knowing the real characters at that specific time.I'm really Sorry for the bad english, I just felt very indignant with the first review about this film that was displayed at my IMDB timeline from Claudio Carvalho18 - June 2004, witch was a shallow review. That motivated me on writing these words. This movie should really get way more than 6.9.

This movie is a must see. At the beginning you think it will be like a regular one, but as it develops it gets really spectacular. It is funny and sad at the same time. The main character (Durval) is one of a kind. His mother is too. Some parts are so funny that you will laugh a lot.I did. And I am not a person that uses to laugh for no reason. For me, to laugh, something has to be REALLY funny. And this movie IS. But some others parts are SAD. But not so sad. So, be cool. No need for too much tears. The songs played are very good ones. The story is very well elaborated. Out of the box. Something you would never guess. Don't miss it if you have a chance to watch it. For a Brazilian film I give it a 10.

"Durval Records" tells the story of Durval (Ary França) the owner of a record store where he sells old vinyl records, resisting the advance of CD's. In this simply presentation of the movie reminds of "High Fidelity" but the story goes in another direction. Living with his old mother (Etty Fraser) in a house attached to the store, he lives his days almost with no kind of sales whatsoever. One day he employs a maid (paying very cheaply of course) thinking that his mom can't take care of herself anymore. Everything's fine. But one day he discovers that the woman left a child with him and from there he and his mother will take care of her. The comedic drama turns into a nostalgic film (when Durval plays several classic records of Brazilian's popular music throughout the film) to later become a strange black humor film (after Durval finds out who is the girl and some awkward events involving his mom always wanting that the girl stays with them).Most of the reviews here says excellent things about the film but always few things. I understand, say too much about this film isn't good enough, and it will ruin for people who really wants to see it. It's very difficult not to give away some of the mysteries of the film so I hope I haven't said too much. But I must complain of the worst review I ever read here, a prejudicial and poor review whose major complains were silly and dumb. Don't even read it!The movie has great performances, an interesting and awkward plot twists (that might bother some viewers who are not get used to see dark and twisted comedies). The soundtrack was very good too. My disagreement is about a horse presented in the plot, something that the little girl wants it and Durval's mother buys the horse, placing him in the little house. The movie could exist without it. And director and writer Anna Muylaert could add something more at the ending, we never know what happened with some of the characters. Here's a movie where things keeps turning over and over into some strange and freaky ways. I can truly say that it had a few things I saw it coming but for most of the film it was a enormous and good surprise. Oh and the thing I really loved about this film: it's a rare Brazilian work from the decade who doesn't contains cursing at all! Nothing against cursing, I really like it when it is used well (weird but truth) and in Brazilian's films it's a thing over the top and most of the time the actors who uses acts too much and it sounds something so phony. Take it for me, it's very rare to find a good film like this. Pay attention to the marvellous opening scene with the credits, one of the most original openings ever presented in a Brazilian film. 9/10

I watched Durval Discos in my Portuguese class at my university. The dialogue was fairly easy to understand. The film begins in a lighthearted manner with rather typical characters, Durval and his mother. They lead a rather dull life until their newly hired maid disappears suddenly leaving her 5 year old daughter behind. At first the child is charming to Carmita (Durval's mother) and Durval, but later they find that the situation is not at all as it seems and the film goes from lighthearted to incredibly dark, not lacking elements of dark humor typical to Latin American cinema. I was completely surprised and could not have guessed the ending. I would suggest this to anyone interested in foreign films and Brazilian culture.