The story of Frank Abegnale Jr., the US’s most accomplished conman, went on to become Catch Me If You Can, a popular film starring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DeCaprio and a Broadway musical. It’s only fair then that Marcelo da Rocha, one of Brazil’s most prodigious con men, should get a film based on his life. However, Catch Me If You Can delves less into the compulsion that pushes Frank to keep scamming, VIPs takes the element heavily into consideration. It gives the film a much sharper emotional edge, and Wagner Moura’s turn as Marcelo helps to push the story with substantial character development. As he adopts new personae to keep ahead of the authorities who begin to notice his face popping up under different names, is he running for his own sake and the identity crisis his father left him with? Or is he running to provide his mother with money and a sense of pride? It may resemble the US film in plot, but VIPs is a much more mindful film.
Growing up, Marcelo would be quizzed by his father, a commercial airline pilot, on the names of the major airports in the cities of the world. It provided Marcelo with his single guiding ambition: to follow in his father’s footsteps. However, lacking the finances or the resources to train as a pilot, Marcelo sets off on the road and volunteers as an assistant to a small plane service company where he gradually logs hours in the cockpit on various runs. One day a last-minute call comes in for a pilot to make a quick flight to pick someone up, but the manager has already left. Marcelo impersonates him, takes on the job, and flies the plane himself. So begins Marcelo’s career of manipulation and impersonation. Working as a drug trafficker he becomes an official pilot, and through those connections worms his way into the Brazilian upper crust party scene under yet another assumed identity. It’s a high profile con, and it brings him a level exposure that makes keeping up appearances impossible.
The difference between Catch Me If You Can and VIPs is a question of character. The former made its story one of a cat and mouse chase between a criminal and the authorities, whereas the latter was a chase between a man and what he imagined his father expects of him. Since Marcelo’s chase could never have a satisfying end, the story relies on the growth of its protagonist to keep things moving. And move it does.
DVD Bonus Features
Interviews with cast and crew are the only extras, but the wide range of people it covers gives you a look at the film from a considerable number of angles.
"VIPs" is on sale February 14, 2012 and is not rated. Drama. Directed by Toniko Melo. Written by Mariana Caltabiano (book), Braulio Mantovani (screenplay). Starring Wagner Moura.
