We first meet Jessica in a state of suspended animation. Working in a Rio de Janeiro antique shop, she is surrounded by the past but disconnected from her own. Played with a grounded charm by Thati Lopes, Jessica is a young woman adrift, believing herself to be the last of her family line, with an eviction notice serving as a constant reminder of her precarious present. The film’s catalyst arrives not with a bang, but with a quiet click: a locket, identical to her late mother’s, appears in a box of old belongings.
This small object sets off a chain of discoveries, leading her to a man named Gabriel and the startling news that her grandparents are alive and well in Tel Aviv. With motivations split between a longing for family and the very practical allure of an inheritance, she sets off on an adventure that promises to reshape her future.
Detours on the Road to Reunion
Once in Israel, Jessica’s straightforward quest for inheritance and connection immediately veers into more complicated territory. The narrative cleverly employs a “quest-within-a-quest” structure upon her discovery that her grandfather, Ben, is in a crisis of his own.
The spirited man who once stole her grandmother Hava’s heart has calcified into a creature of habit, his life boiled down to the bland routine of running a tour bus and obsessing over soup. Hava, unwilling to watch their shared history fade, has left him with a series of clues designed to make him remember the man he used to be. Jessica’s decision to help him transforms the film’s trajectory. Her own search is put on hold, forcing a shift in her priorities.
This structural choice is effective, delaying the emotional payoff of her own reunion to build a deeper foundation for it. We watch her internal conflict play out against the historic landscape; the initial, almost transactional goal gives way to a genuine investment in her grandfather’s happiness. The film shows this change subtly, through her reactions to the sites on Ben’s tour, which are not just tourist spots but markers of his life with Hava. His journey to find his wife becomes Jessica’s journey to find her family’s soul.
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A film with such a gentle narrative requires strong central performances to anchor it, and Cheers to Life succeeds primarily on the strength of its cast. The evolving relationship between Jessica and Gabriel provides the story’s lighter, comedic notes. Their dynamic is built on the classic trope of mistaken identity, in this case, the awkward assumption that they are cousins.
This device creates a charmingly hesitant energy between them, and the actors share a believable chemistry that makes their eventual romance feel like a natural extension of their shared adventure. The film’s true emotional center, however, is the tender bond that forms between Jessica and Ben. Their connection feels authentic and lived-in from their first meeting, a testament to the nuanced performances.
This grandparent-granddaughter relationship speaks to a universal longing for generational connection and becomes the story’s most memorable aspect. Thati Lopes is the standout, carrying the film with a performance that balances comedic timing with moments of quiet introspection. She skillfully portrays Jessica’s inner transformation, allowing the audience to see the character’s walls come down. Jonas Bloch is equally effective as Ben, conveying a lifetime of love and regret beneath his tired exterior.
A Scenic Route with a Familiar Map
Visually, the film is an inviting travelogue. Director Cris D’Amato and the cinematography team make excellent use of the Israeli setting, turning the landscape into a character in its own right. The camera often frames the characters against expansive backdrops, contrasting the open, sun-drenched spaces of Israel with the cluttered confines of Jessica’s life in Rio.
This visual language reinforces her journey of personal liberation. The bright, optimistic tone is further supported by a pleasant musical score that guides the viewer through the emotional beats without being intrusive.
The screenplay, however, walks a very familiar path. It embraces the conventions of the romantic dramedy wholeheartedly, resulting in a predictable narrative with very low stakes. The plot moves forward on a current of happy coincidences rather than earned conflict, a choice that defines its identity as a “comfort film.” This is not necessarily a flaw, but a defining feature that places it squarely within a popular trend in streaming content.
These films serve a specific cultural appetite for stories that are emotionally reassuring and aesthetically pleasing, offering an escape from real-world complexities. Cheers to Life does not aim to subvert expectations or innovate its genre. Instead, it commits fully to its purpose: to be a warm, sincere, and heartfelt story about the importance of family and the courage to choose happiness. It is a movie that prioritizes feeling over function, and for many viewers, that will be more than enough.
Cheers to Life (original title: Viva a Vida) is a 99-minute Brazilian romantic comedy-drama film that premiered globally on Netflix on June 11, 2025. The film is presented by Elo Studios and is available to watch with a Netflix subscription. It was filmed in Portuguese and was named Best Comedy at the Toronto International Women Film Festival.
Full Credits
Director: Cris D’Amato
Writers: Natalia Klein
Producers and Executive Producers: Julio Uchôa, Cris D’Amato, Natalia Klein
Cast: Thati Lopes, Regina Braga, Jonas Bloch, Rodrigo Simas, Diego Martins, Daniel Filho, Aline Dias, Clara Tiezzi, Luísa Thiré
Director of Photography (Cinematographer): Dante Belluti
Editors: Bernardo Pimenta
Composer: Ruben Feffer
The Review
Cheers to Life
Cheers to Life is a cinematic comfort food, a warm and visually pleasing film that succeeds on the strength of its heartfelt performances and beautiful scenery. While its narrative follows a well-worn path, relying on familiar tropes and conveniences, its genuine charm and sincere emotional core make for an enjoyable, if unsurprising, journey. It’s a movie that values feeling over narrative complexity, offering a gentle and optimistic story about reconnecting with one's past.
PROS
- A charming and relatable lead performance by Thati Lopes.
- The touching and authentic bond between the protagonist and her grandfather.
- Beautiful cinematography that makes the Israeli landscape a key part of the story.
- A consistently pleasant, feel-good, and optimistic tone.
CONS
- A highly predictable script that follows familiar genre conventions.
- Very low stakes and an absence of meaningful conflict or tension.
- A plot that relies heavily on coincidence to move forward.
- Lacks narrative innovation or surprising developments.
