Search - Moon Over Parador on DVD

Entertaining Spoof on Latin American Politics

Luis Hernandez | New York, New York, USA | 11/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I first saw this movie over a decade ago, I was so happy to see that Hollywood decided to film a movie about the political charade many Latin American republics of that era were involved in. Except for a few democracies, Latin American was still a mecca for dictators and coup d'etat's.Parador (must me a hybrid of the countries "Paraguay" and "Ecuador" since Parador in Spanish means "inn") is a country in a deep crisis. Their dictator has died mysteriously and the oligarchy that really rules the country is looking for someone to take his place. Enter Richard Dreyfuss, a struggling New York actor who gets the role of a lifetime playing a third-world despot. At first he finds it amusing, but later realizes that the charade he is performing is really hurting the people he is supposed to rule.Filmed in Minas Gerais, Brazil, "Moon Over Parador" features that talents of some of Latin America's best actors. Puerto Rican actor Raul Julia and Brazilian actress Sonia Braga both steal the show as the president's advisor and mistress respectively. I was happy to see Spanish singer Charo in a small role as one of the president's maids and the ambiance of a small Latin American republic is perfectly captured by director Paul Mazurksy ("Down and Out in Beverly Hills").This is a film that deserves to be on DVD. It is one of the 1980's hidden gems, and hopefully Universal will release it in the DVD format it rightfully deserves to be on. "Moon Over Parador" outranks Woody Allen's "Bananas" as the best spoof of Latin American politics ever made. It's a comedic masterpiece."

Banana-Republic sleeper

Joanna Daneman | Middletown, DE USA | 03/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This clever film is a comedy sleeper; Paul Mazursky gathers a fine cast and puts over an amusing comedy about an actor impersonating a banana republic dictator. Yes, we've seen funny films about dodgey Latin American countries rife with ex-Nazis and goofy leaders, and yes, impersonation gags are nothing new in comedy films, but this has a certain freshness that makes this a minor gem.

The film is shot in Minais Gerais, Brazil, and the slightly crumbling colonial architecture is the perfect background for the fictional Republic of Parador. Richard Dreyfuss is almost too believable as a second-rate actor Jack Noah. In fact, he is often overshadowed by the late and highly talented Raul Julia, who plays the power-mad, slightly homicidal genius behind Parador's dictatorship. When Il Presidente croaks, Dreyfuss is given the role of a lifetime, and the added perk of Madonna Mendez (Sonia Braga) as his lithesome mistress.

The only flaw with the film is that Dreyfuss is not as funny as Julia, Braga or even Mazursky, who fills in as Il Presidente's redoutable Mama, a bit part in drag that was conjured up with other actresses who were to cameo in the role bailed out. Sadly, he's overshadowed by these huge talents, and that makes his critical part, the buffoon-like Alfonse Simms, President, a touch less amusing that it ought to be. And some of the cameos (Charo, Sammy Davis, Jr., Polly Holliday) could have been bigger. They were almost a waste.

A fun fact: The first dictator, the "real" Simms, is played by Dreyfuss' brother Lorin, rather than doing a doppleganger scene with a stand-in for Richard Dreyfuss in both roles.

A fun comedy, and one that is great to have in the DVD library. Best film ever made? No, but a good solid movie that is worth seeing from time to time when you need a good laugh.
"

Mazursky's Funniest Film

AhJay | 09/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Say what you want about "Down And Out In Beverly Hills", but for me, "Moon Over Parador" is by far Paul Mazursky's funniest film. The reason? Raul Julia and Sonia Braga. Whether comedy or drama, Julia [who, sadly, passed away in 1994] and Braga were Hollywood's most underrated cinema duo. They were both denied much deserve Oscar nods for their incredible performances in "Kiss Of The Spider Woman", and not given nearly enough credit for their comedic skills in "Parador".

Richard Dreyfus is supposedly the "star" of "Parador", but it's Julia and Braga who carry this little gem!"

Romance, Adventure & Action

Dr Lim Michael | Asia | 06/20/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this movie, it has everything, love,romance, action, satire, and even Julio Inglesias singing a beautiful love song. Fimed on location in San Salvador, Brazil. Richard Dreyfuss, Raul Julia and Sonia Braga give sterling performances! Raul Julia is magical in his authentic potrayal of a passive aggressive Head of the National Police. Sonia is perfect as the experienced courtesan who teaches Richard EVERYTHING she knows about the dictator. Richard is superb as the lead with his comic potrayal of an actor in a situation that is incrdibly complex. The modern version of Casablanca. Veteran funny man, Jonathan Winters is excellent in his role.The humour, directing and stunts are A1. Mazursky who directed cult movie Down And Out In Beverly Hills is a brilliant director."