Possible Loves (Amores Possíveis), a rom-com Brazilian style, presents a fresh slant on the Sliding Doors concept. Fifteen years ago, Carlos (the ridiculously handsome Murilo Benicio) had a date at the movies with his classmate, Julia (the equally beautiful Carolina Ferraz) who he was in love with. She stood him up and life went on. But it went on in three different ways and fifteen years on we are presented with three different versions of Carlos’s life, into each strand of which Julia reappears. One of the situations is Carlos’ real life; one is not; and the third is the way he wants it to be. The question is which is which? Both lead actors present three alternative characters and their mannerisms, looks and speech patterns are so different that at first you may not realise they are the same person. But they are the same person, which is the point. The film suggests there is no such thing as fate or soul-mates. In all three scenarios, Carlos and Julia end up with similarities in their interactions, as two people aren’t destined to be together but have to work hard at a relationship. No matter what the circumstances, you will always be the same person and will return to the same place. Carlos is a drifter in all three versions and, unable to make big decisions, he leaves them up to his beautiful wife, gay partner or domineering mother respectively. The bard said “The fault is not in our stars but in ourselves that we are underlings”. Director, Sandra Werneck, may not have Shakespearean pretensions, but the theme is similar. Filmed in Rio de Janeiro, the colour is a little dull and the picture looks slightly retro, although the film is only six years old. It is refreshingly non-Hollywood and as such is able to handle straight and homosexual relationships with equal sensitivity, sexuality and humour. This is a feel good film without too much depth but it does put a smile on the viewer’s face, and won the 2001 Sundance jury prize in Latin America cinema. If that’s what you go to the pictures for, you will be entertained, although you may feel slightly cheated that the credits are cut off half-way through.—Kate Blackhurst