.png)
If you're looking for a film that brazenly parades as an artsy depiction of diplomacy but instead serves up a heaping dose of Hollywood hero-worship, then "Sergio", released in 2020, may just snatch your attention. Based on the life of Brazilian United Nations diplomat Sérgio Vieira de Mello, this film takes us on a gallivanting narrative through his idealistic missions and ultimate demise in Baghdad, 2003. For those scratching their heads and asking, 'Sérgio who?', Vieira de Mello was somewhat of a rock star in the U.N., deftly unraveling international tensions in East Timor, Cambodia, and beyond—making him a darling of globalists and, as this film would have you believe, the ghost of perfection.
First, let's start with the directors' choice: Greg Barker. The man isn't new to this story; he directed the 2009 documentary "Sergio," which tells you precisely how enamored he is with the subject. Some folks might argue there's something virtuous about dedications like this, but if we're being real, isn't it more about rehashing old stories with new cinematics to ride on the Netflix hype train?
Wagner Moura stars as Sérgio, dazzling viewers with his expressive acting and ability to drift through CGI scenes of chaotic warscapes while managing not to spill his diplomatic coffee. Moura does an excellent job compelling viewers to suffer alongside him in the moral quandaries he tackles. He's everywhere—from East Timor to Sudan to Baghdad—all while trying to reconcile his dangerous work life with personal relationships. Fair warning: it gets thick with all the incense-smoke of romantic subplots that are as predictable as the hash browns at a diner. Enter Ana de Armas as Carolina Larriera, the love interest whose own identity seems snatched by the gravitational pull of Sergio’s saintly orbit. Now, there's a controversial actress who'll get pulses racing and cause debates among cinephiles far and wide.
What's next? Oh, the politics, of course. The backdrop of the Iraq war gives "Sergio" plenty of room to insert some poignant messages. The film’s stance is no surprise: it shows disdain for the U.S.-Lewis Carroll-like rationale of 'going down the rabbit hole' in the Middle East. The script is riddled with pointed dialogue designed to make you reflect, and possibly cringe, over American policies. If anything, "Sergio" acts as Barker's cinematic love letter to diplomacy, suggesting that if the world just listened to people like Vieira de Mello, it’d be smoother than a silk tie.
Now, let's talk about story pacing—or the lack thereof. While some movies manage to juggle multiple storylines like expert carnival clowns, "Sergio" pitches moments that sink slower than molasses in winter. Jumping between heart-pounding car chases and tender caresses leaves the plot as coherent as a patchwork quilt. Critics might swoon over this artistic approach, exclaiming that life is just as tangled. But come on. By the time the climax rolls around, you're left wondering where your excitement went.
Putting aside the acting chops and the love-it-or-hate-it pace, the film does offer stunning cinematography. Brendan Galvin’s work behind the lens with sweeping vistas of political hotspots is nothing short of breath-taking. The film captures the explosive beauty of conflict zones, from the sun-kissed sandstone of Baghdad’s architecture to the serene beaches of East Timor. You might argue that "Sergio" is more appealing as an accidental travelogue than the purpose it ostensibly serves.
The film raises an eyebrow-raising amount of idolization. Vieira de Mello's solutions are portrayed as the nectar of diplomacy’s ambrosia; his UN missions are written with a euphoric glow. And therein lies the issue. It romanticizes Sérgio’s life to such an extent that you’re left wondering if you’re watching reality or a modern-day re-imagining of Hercules. Sérgio didn't single-handedly save the world, but you wouldn’t know it from this film.
So why should you watch "Sergio"? If you're one for groupthink where the portrayal of utopian idealism is sprinkled with strong doses of skepticism toward US interventions, this film charms exactly like a two-hour TED Talk. It's a rosy-coloured reverie likely to push buttons for those who prefer realism in historical accounts. Relying more on the "hope-in-humanity" theme than on gritty authenticity, "Sergio" is the kind of movie you watch when you want some escapism, just without veering too far from the real-world issues where every side has differing truths.
Here’s something to ponder: would Sérgio Vieira de Mello himself have appreciated this cinematic rendition? The diplomat must be rolling in his grave hearing the Hollywood remixes of nuanced dialogues he may— or may not— have said. But don’t let my conservative babbling steer your viewing habits; see "Sergio" for yourself. It’s not every day the mishmash of politics, love, and Hollywood fantasy blend into one screen experience.