Love For Sale: Suely in the Sky (O Ceu de Suely) (2006)

78% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
57% of users liked it
(1,247 ratings)

A woman who has recently returned to her hometown village in remote, northeastern Brazil after two years of living in São Paolo refuses to allow the actions of others to dictate her fate as she keeps her eyes towards new horizons in director Karim Aïnouz's follow-up to his dynamic feature debut… More A woman who has recently returned to her hometown village in remote, northeastern Brazil after two years of living in São Paolo refuses to allow the actions of others to dictate her fate as she keeps her eyes towards new horizons in director Karim Aïnouz's follow-up to his dynamic feature debut Madame Satã. Hermilla (Hermilla Guedes) is a single mother living a marginal existence in modern day São Paolo. Upon returning to the village in which she was raised to await the arrival of her husband, Hermilla longs for the day that her family will become whole. Her hopes gradually fade, however, when it becomes painfully obvious to Hermilla that both she and her newborn son have been abandoned. Secrets are scarce in a village such as Hermilla's, and when word gets out about her dire situation the optimism of the once hopeful mother is quickly corroded by feelings of failure and humiliation. Though she briefly rekindles a relationship with former boyfriend João Miguel (João Miguel), Hermilla's painful realization that there is no returning to the past, coupled with an enlightening conversation with thoughtful prostitute Georgina (Georgina Castro), prods the troubled mother into devising a foolproof plan to finally break free of her troubled past. After adopting the name Suely as a means of both distancing herself from her family and preparing herself for the bold journey that lies ahead, the newly transformed Hermilla determines to raffle off a most unconventional prize to finance her flight into the future. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Karim Aïnouz
Written By: Karim Aïnouz, Mauricio Zacharias, Felipe Bragança
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Mar 24, 2007 Wide
On DVD: Aug 26, 2008
Studio: Strand Releasing

Critic Reviews

Richard James Havis, Hollywood Reporter
...a well-observed slice of social realist cinema.
John Anderson, Newsday
Guedes is electrifying, and so un-Hollywood you have to cheer for the continuing health of Brazilian cinema.
V.A. Musetto, New York Post
The steamy Brazilian drama Love for Sale takes a timeworn Hollywood premise -- down-on-her-luck woman turns hooker to survive -- and gives it an enthralling new twist.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
Love for Sale has a deep sympathy for sexual free spirits in a rigid macho society.
Aaron Hillis, Village Voice
The story's one-note -- once you know the title, you pretty much get the gist.
Deborah Young, Variety
Apart from a few tour de force dance scenes, though, the rhythm tends to drag.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Yet another addition to that deplorable male fantasy on screen, namely that prostitution is a primary path to female empowerment and liberation.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Yet another addition to that deplorable male fantasy on screen, namely that prostitution is a primary path to female empowerment and liberation.
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org
In the end, the story feels a little thin and we never feel like we've gotten close to Hermila, but then she's someone who doesn't seem willing to reveal all to anyone so maybe Ainouz' tone is a good fit for the film.
Ken Fox, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Gripping. Proves that subtlety is yet another of this fine filmmaker's strengths.
Noel Murray, AV Club
Pacing is a problem with Love For Sale, but meaning never is.
Pam Grady, Reel.com
Love for Sale is a small film, but is one with a big heart.
David Noh, Film Journal International
Ainouz obviously knows his turf, and is in full control of the material and his actors.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
Gives a whole new meaning to the word 'Powerball.'
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A feisty single parent's startling plan to pull herself out of poverty by moving to another city.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Os quadros compostos por Aïnouz freqüentemente revelam um cuidado que transcende a estética, preocupando-se principalmente com o significado das composições ou mesmo com a sensação pura e simples transmitida ao espectador.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
Aïnouz is deeply but unpretentiously attuned to the rhythms of small-town living.

Read all 17 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Red L

I saw this with English subtitles. I did not find it outstanding, but worth watching. Is it a comment on the few choices a Brazilian woman has - especially one with a child? Her husband abandons her, and she is left to raise their son with no income in a dead town - even his mother… More
I saw this with English subtitles. I did not find it outstanding, but worth watching. Is it a comment on the few choices a Brazilian woman has - especially one with a child? Her husband abandons her, and she is left to raise their son with no income in a dead town - even his mother is no help.
Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]"Love for Sale" starts with Hermila(Hermila Guedes) returning to her hometown of Iguatu from Sao Paulo with her newborn son but without Mateus, the boy's father, who has promised to follow soon. But it becomes clear that will not be the case and… More
[font=Century Gothic]"Love for Sale" starts with Hermila(Hermila Guedes) returning to her hometown of Iguatu from Sao Paulo with her newborn son but without Mateus, the boy's father, who has promised to follow soon. But it becomes clear that will not be the case and Hermila gets involved with an old flame, Joao(Joao Miguel). That is not enough to make her stay, so she launches a fundraising plan by raffling off a night with herself...[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"Love for Sale" is a provocative little drama that is quite straightforward. I do not know if what Hermila does is prostitution(she thinks no, since it's a one time deal) but I would not condemn her in any case nor does the film. But the citizens of the town do, much more harshly than Mateus for the abandonment of his family which is far worse. Either Hermila does not recall how life in a small town works(she uses an assumed name but her dyed blonde hair makes her easily identifiable) or she is just defiantly burning her bridges.[/font]