Double Dad

Double Dad is a Brazilian family drama film released in 2021 and directed by Cris D'Amato. The film stars a talented cast including Bill Rogers, Maisa Silva and Eduardo Moscovis. With its mix of emotional scenes, humor, and an engaging storyline, Double Dad is a movie that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.

The story revolves around a spirited, artistic teen girl named Vicenza (played by the talented Maisa Silva). She has been raised in a hippie commune away from usual city life under the careful eyes of her friendly, but protective, mother (played by Laura Castro). The film takes us into the world of Vicenza who has never met her biological father but yearns to make a connection. As Vicenza approaches her 18th birthday, her mother, who has always been vague about the identity of her father, heads off on a spiritual journey, leaving Vicenza behind at the commune.

Filled with curiosity, questions and a certain eagerness to step out, Vicenza seizes this as an opportunity to set on a journey to Rio to find her father. She dreams of a storybook reunion, one filled with love, joy and happiness. However, her search for her father isn't as straightforward as she imagines.

In Rio de Janeiro, Vicenza discovers not one, but two potential fathers - Paco (Eduardo Moscovis) and Giovanne (Marcelo Médici), bringing the term "Double Dad" to life. Both are charming men but have dramatically diverging lifestyles. Paco is a measured, serious man who is unwilling to pander to Vicenza's fantasy of a picture-perfect father-daughter bond, while Giovanne is an eccentric artist living in a packed, chaotic warehouse with numerous other free spirits, capturing the other side of Vicenza’s dream dad.

When she first meets them, both men are oblivious to Vicenza's true identity and she doesn't make an immediate revelation either. Instead, what unfolds is a unique relationship dynamics as Vicenza tries to make sense of her feelings without knowing which one is her biological father. This journey becomes a rollercoaster ride of bonding, confusion and discovery that is structured around Vicenza’s self-discovery and the development of her relationships with her potential fathers.

Over the course of the movie, we watch as Vicenza scales from being a sheltered commune-raised girl to a mature young woman understanding herself and her relationship with her family. And the two potential fathers too have emotional arcs of their own. Moscovis as Paco and Médici as Giovanne both deliver splendid performances, portraying the complexity of their characters and the emotional journey they go through.

The film is not just about identifying one’s father but about comprehending the deeper meaning of family and connections. Double Dad presents multiple dimensions on what a father means to a child, what family looks like, and the enduring love that holds them all together. Director D'Amato not only focuses on the profound relationship between parent and child but sprinkles elements of humor in it, balancing it with moments of sheer joy and deep introspection.

Besides the narrative of Double Dad, what really adds value to the film is its vibrantly colorful and lively environment. The cinematography captured by D'Amato is stunning. From the mesmerizing views of the commune to the eccentric but charming chaos in Rio, every scene has a unique visual identity that contributes to the storytelling in a significant way.

The film also boasts a brilliant soundtrack, effectively adding to the overall mood and atmosphere of the story. The music complements the visually enticing images, making the flowing story palpable, resonating strongly with every narrative phase.

Overall, Double Dad is a heartwarming tale of a girl finding her roots and along the way making lifelong bonds. It is an honest story about family, love, and the complexity of human relationships handled with sensitivity and humor. The film is a delightful mix of stunning visuals, strong performances, memorable music, and an engrossing storyline that promises to kindle a flurry of emotions in the audience.