Vale Abraão (Abraham's Valley) (1993)

86% of critics liked it
(7 reviews)
71% of users liked it
(339 ratings)

In this artful film by 85-year old director Manoel de Oliveira, the heroine, instead of being powerless in the face of a world ruled by men, finds herself to be far too powerful. Beginning when she was a child, Ema (Leonor Silveira as an adult) had the kind of looks and manner that could stop cars… More In this artful film by 85-year old director Manoel de Oliveira, the heroine, instead of being powerless in the face of a world ruled by men, finds herself to be far too powerful. Beginning when she was a child, Ema (Leonor Silveira as an adult) had the kind of looks and manner that could stop cars when she came up to a street -- or cause accidents. As time goes by, she explores her power over men and, as a mature woman, chooses to marry a man who has virtually no machismo so that she can continue having affairs and exploring this mysterious ability of hers. Eventually she seeks to transcend her unusual limitation and accomplishes her death with astonishing serenity. This haunting story is based on a novel by Agustina Bessa-Luis. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 3 hr. 9 min.
Directed By: Manoel de Oliveira
Written By: Manoel de Oliveira, Agustina Bessa-Luis
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Dec 24, 2002
Studio: Artificial Eye

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
It mesmerizes, sometimes maddens and tests the emotional and physical reflexes.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
This beautifully shot, slow-moving, talky meditation on a life of leisure led by an adulterous woman differs most radically from Flaubert's novel in its indifference to the middle class.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's both elegant and subtle, a beautifully achieved pic that has a timeless poetical quality.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A great deal of screen time is devoted to the false intellectualism and forced mannerisms of dinner party conversations.
Michael Atkinson, Boston Phoenix
When others would be retiring, Oliveira gives us movie after movie that begs to be indulged, with great affection, as the autumnal output of a codger deserving of, if not destined for, a Lifetime Achievement Oscar.
Wally Hammond, Time Out
Subtle, elegant, enigmatic, this movie by the veteran Oliveira exercises a powerful grip.