Searing and intense near-classic (ordinarily, I'd describe it as a classic, but I still prefer TV's "The Wire", which covers much of the same ground, but in Baltimore rather than Brazil) about a wretchedly poor neighborhood in the shadow of Rio, the kids existing there, and the lengths they'll sometimes go to in order to survive, and maybe even prosper. Of course, there are those youthful residents who attempt to find another out without compromising their humanity. In the midst of drugs and savage murders and despair, there's one character who experiences a first thwarted love, a fragile but touching friendship, and a growing awareness that perhaps he has the skill to escape the hopelessness of his dreary surroundings without resorting to the pervasive brutality of his peers.
It's a very effective, well-made film, and the majority of the actors in it are not professionals, but actual residents of the "City of God". If anything, their lack of polish enhances the on-screen action. I'm always a fan of non-linear story-telling, and you'll need to pay attention while watching this movie if you want to keep the characters and the developing plotline straight in your mind, but the film will richly reward you for it.
I'm not an expert on Brazilian culture, but it seems to be pretty factual. Then again, you don't really need to be an expert. Whether it's the Rio of "City of God" or the Baltimore of "The Wire" or the Los Angeles of "Boyz'N'The Hood"...and they're all pretty realistic movies, based on my knowledge...the depressing truth seems to be that kids raised in conditions of hopeless poverty and perpetual despair...no matter what country or geographic location in which that poverty exists...will invariably turn to violence, brutality and inhumanity towards their fellow human beings. There are exceptions, of course...all 3 of the shows I've mentioned have characters who triumph over the adversity of their lives without hurting others...but they're exceptions.
That's depressing. Really depressing. "City of God" is a really depressing movie, but well worth seeing if you value quality cinema. Unfortunately, when films genuinely reflect real life, they have that tendency to be depressing. Really depressing.
