A masterpiece or trite sensationalism of a culture over-intoxicated with flashy cinematic techniques rather than a heartfelt message? This problem undermines what I once thought was a great film and ended up dogging Meirelles’ later work. Even if I was to praise it for the technical mastery, the debt to Martin Scorsese is writ so large it consumes any sense of Meirelles making a film through his own vision.
It's such an interesting film. All the characters add up to create an amazing montage. The editing and camera worked of the first 5minutes turned me off, but after that, it kept getting better and better.
I have been wanting to watch this film for several years now and now that I have, I realise why everyone has been recommending it. It is well crafted, small character stories of the favelas (slums) of Rio where violence is out of control & kids grow up thinking it is a natural way of life. A story told passionately, by the director who also brought us the brilliant Constant Gardener, using mostly first time actors.
The sprawling nature of this film fascinates me. The story is rich and the visual style is light on it's feet. Successful in immersing you in the culture and situation. A must see for the crime genre.
This was a powerful re-enactment of a true story of the vicious cycle of the gangster lifestyle that is portrayed with haunting accuracy. Brutal. It's heart breaking to know that the societies can be really really messed up and many of them because of the reasons desperations of how they live below the lowest standards in a horrible conditions. It really hits me with a punch! If only these people had more options! :(
Great film.. Now I want to see GoodFellas for comparison. Naturally acted, a bit disturbing, superbly edited.
A story about dreams that (indeed) can come true whichever it comes from the city of god or city of evil - depends how we see it because of the stark of the poverty where violence can breed easily. A good film that I watch every now and then, a reminder that this problem is still happening in some poor countries in Asia until today.