Rating of
4/4
Excellent look at life outside the U.S.
ScottyWasANitemare - wrote on 09/30/07
I saw this movie in Costa Rica, before it was released in the U.S. It was in Portuguese with Spanish subtitles, but I still got the gist. I bought it on DVD when it came out here so I could check out the English subtitles.
Let me start by saying that this film is based on a true story, which makes it even more interesting.
The movie is the story of a young man growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from the 1960's to the 1980's. Rocket, the main character, sees through the eyes of a participant and photographer, the escalation of violence and crime as the poorest of the third world try and find a means to survive. Drugs, gangs and violence are plentiful here, as well as touching scenes of beauty.
This movie is filmed beautifully. From the slow and easy shots in the sixties to the partying of the seventies, and finally the shakey frantic pace of the cocaine 1980's, the film's photography matches each era very well.
The cast of this film were largely recruited from the actual favelas (slum neighborhoods around Rio) and are mostly non-professionals. They do an excellent job.
City of God is an interesting look at the history of a part of the world most Americans know very little about. As a bonus, there is a documentary on the DVD about the real City of God, and it is no less scary.
Check this movie out, and if you enjoy action you will enjoy this movie.
ScottyWasANitemare
Recent Comments
Sophie B. - wrote on 10/02/07 at 10:59 AM CT
City of God ( Cidade de Deus ) Review comment
Wonderful review and I agree 101%.
