O ebrio

Genre is an important element in the overall understanding of film. It helps to distinguish individual movies from one another by separating them into unique categories. Also, it provides the audience an early impression of the general mood that they are to expect when viewing the film. The Brazilian cinema work, O ebrio, is an excellent example of the significant role genre plays throughout the course of a film. The specific genre exhibited through this film is that of the melodrama. The use of music and the movement of the narrative are the formal elements that best demonstrate this genre.

From the moment the opening credits are visible, the audience is able to develop a sense of the themes and genre of O ebrio. Perspectives in regard to mood are easily attained due to the slow and melancholy music that accompanies the initial sequence. More often than not, the opening song determines the feel that the film will offer and sets the tone for the events that follow. The music chosen for O ebrio, continues to be soft and minor throughout the scenes that show the main character, Gilberto, struggling to make his life better. Even when Gilberto attends a contest on the radio, the song he competes with is one that effectively embodies the pain he has endured. This song ultimately leads to his success. As the film progresses, so do the accompanying melodies, and even though they slightly improve in mood, there is always the underlying tone of drama.

The narrative movement of O ebrio is the best indicator of the melodrama genre that defines this film. Whether the character, Gilberto’s, situation is good or bad, it is always at extreme levels. When his story begins, the main character is down on his luck. Gilberto is about as low as he can be, with his tattered clothes and not a penny to his name. After his life begins to change and he experiences success, things seem almost too good to be true. Gilberto appears able to do no wrong, as if he has the Midas touch. His life becomes a vision of perfection as he wins a contest, becomes a doctor (his dream career), marries a beautiful woman, and lives in a big house. The melodrama genre presents itself fully soon after Gilberto hits the most successful point in his life. The sequence begins with his cousin flirting with his wife and ends with him giving up his entire life by a forged death. Not only does Gilberto “die”, but he attempts to forget everything about his past by drinking himself into oblivion. As the film ends on a disheartening and discouraging note, the melodrama narrative comes full circle.

Through the use of melodrama, O ebrio captivates the audience and appeals to their emotions as the story unravels the interpersonal conflicts surrounding the main character. Connected to the story through music and narrative movement, Gilberto’s tragic tale of success and failure is a perfect example of how the element of genre creates an expectation in the minds of its audience and leads the viewer to greater understanding of the story.