Cute, But Ordinary

In his film, "Pretty, But Ordinary", the renowned Brazilian writer, Nelson Rodrigues, works with the idea of temptation that has plagued man since the beginning of time (part of the human condition, as it were). "Pretty..." is the story of a young man named Edgard. His girlfriend, Ritinha, is a simple and attractive woman who works as a teacher to support her three sisters and deranged mother. He also suffers financial hardships, and also supports his mother, widower to a man that never had any money, not even for his own funeral. Edgard tries to make do in a low ranking job at the company of millionaire Mr. Wernecks. The story begins when Peixoto, son-in-law and employee to Werneck, makes Edgard the indecent proposition to marry his boss' daughter, Maria Cecilia. At a bar, fueled by alcohol and the trauma of his dads poverty, Edgard accepts. At Mr. Wernecks house, he learns Maria Cecilia has been badly raped and is in urgent need of a fiance, even if he has to be bought. Edgard is shocked by the proposal and walks out his boss' house. The following day, he receives a visit from Peixoto, accompanied by Maria Cecilia, who asks him to reconsider his decision. He goes back to Mr. Werneck, who hands him a cashier's check worth millions. At first Edgard does not accept the check. He says he's not a Peixoto. But the old man insists. He wants to prove Edgard is just like Peixoto; he says that, in Brazil, everyone is a Peixoto, a very current theme. From that moment on, the story revolves around the temptation that may imprison the young man.