If you're anticipating something akin to “U.N.C.L.E.” from Ian Fleming, prepare for letdown; this is an entirely different kind of production. It centers around three characters, all played by Wagner Moura, as they work their way through a series of political machinations set in 1970s Brazil. "Marcelo," also known as “Armando,” arrives in his hometown of Recife under mysterious circumstances and is protected by the memorable “Dona Sebastiana” (Tânia Maria) alongside other people who value freedom, and he begins searching local records for information about his deceased mother. As things unfold, it’s revealed that he used to be a university scientist whose career was derailed by an unscrupulous industrialist eager to steal ideas in a country where individual rights were clearly secondary to a government controlled by corrupt police officers and poorly compensated assassins. This is established early on through symbolism of extortion, bribery, and a society where the currency holds sway—a theme that continues throughout what feels like a three-act play. The ultimate goal isn’t always apparent, and just when I felt I was gaining some understanding, it would shift direction unexpectedly. There's a secondary storyline involving his new housemates who are on the run, another focusing on his son and his father-in-law, who owns a movie theater, and also frequent appearances from two women transcribing recordings of conversations either including or concerning one of Moura’s characters. The identity of these women remains unclear, and that ambiguity didn't help maintain focus as the story’s momentum slowed down considerably toward its middle section. There are elements of subtle menace throughout this examination of a society largely fearful of its own government—or at least unwilling to challenge it—and while the film’s conclusion and the resolution of the main plot don’t coincide, there's no sense of anything positive on the horizon as the schemes and counter-schemes are presented with a distinctly human touch. Although it probably could have been trimmed by about thirty minutes, it is worth watching again because I felt I understood it better once I had grasped the basic setup and character dynamics, allowing me to concentrate more on what is a rather intricate and internal narrative.

Source on TMDB