Marcelo Laffitte's dramedy about a rocky romance between lesbian photographer Elvis (Simone Spoladore) and transvestite hairdresser Madonna (Igor Cotrim) in Rio de Janeiro gets off to a promising start. Working a night job delivering pizzas, the near-impoverished Elvis meets Madonna after the latter is beaten and robbed by boyfriend João (Sérgio Bezerra). The titular pair quickly enter a relationship that grows complicated due to Elvis's pregnancy and the fact that she happens to snap a photo of João in a criminal act. João's threat of revenge hovers over the new couple at the same time that Elvis's family struggles to adjust to her unorthodox relationship, and Madonna tries to mount a ludicrous stage show. While Laffitte brings a jaunty edge to the film, the multiple story threads never quite satisfyingly intertwine here, although the performances are strong, with Spoladore a spunky, soulful presence, and Cotrim shining as Madonna. Optional. (T. Keogh)
Elvis & Madonna
Breaking Glass, 105 min., in Portuguese w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $24.99, Oct. 30 Volume 28, Issue 1
Elvis & Madonna
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