Wagner Moura initially caught my eye with his performance in the acclaimed Netflix series _Narcos_. I’ve since seen him in the two excellent _Elite Squad_ films, so the preview for _Sergio_ definitely piqued my interest. He's a remarkably talented actor, and the prospect of seeing him in a political thriller rooted in actual events was appealing. Sergio Vieira de Mello was a Brazilian UN diplomat who had an important role in what happened in East Timor and Iraq during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The movie’s official description reads: _A sweeping drama set in the turbulent period following the US invasion of Iraq, where the life of top UN diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello is at risk during what proved to be the most dangerous assignment of his career._ True stories frequently prove more compelling than made-up narratives, and de Mello’s life was undeniably fascinating. Early on in the film, something occurs, and afterward, Sergio recalls significant moments from his past—his work in East Timor helping to establish a government there, meeting his partner Carolina Larriera, and arriving in Baghdad. The movie effectively uses flashbacks to unfold its story, providing sufficient details within those sequences so you can understand what's happening. A considerable amount of specific regional history and politics is incorporated into these scenes, but it’s presented in a way that the essential points are conveyed, just enough to help you grasp the context for that portion of the narrative. I feel like the film spends perhaps too much time on the connection between Sergio and Carolina; it's more central than the trailer suggested. While their relationship is certainly an important aspect of Sergio’s life, I thought it diverted attention somewhat from the UN initiatives he was striving to put in place. Ultimately, this proved a captivating movie that reasonably recounts the story of one man attempting to make a difference in the world.

Source on TMDB