City of God

Viewer Rating:simonconnolly has rated City of God rating: 5 Star

Cicade De Deus, or City Of God is set in Brazil in the 1960's. It is focused around the violence and crime in the 'City of God' which became one of the most dangerous places in Rio De Janeiro at the time. Starting in the 60's we see the Tender Trio , they rob motels and gas trucks as the younger kids watch and learn. Only some learn a little too well. So move on to the 70's and L'il Zé has prospered and after being taken under the wing of the Tender Trio he has killed the last surviving member (narrator Buacapé's brother) and now owns the City. He causes violence and annihilates rival gangs with no mercy. His best friend is the only one who keeps him under control. Despite Buscapé , or Rockets unwillingness to become involved in this life he continues to be sucked in as his artistic eye, despite being his redemption, is also provides most of his life's danger. He is the only one who can get out and he is the only one who can take the pictures and show everyone the life that he lives in. Then when Bené in killed by a rival gang it leads to an extremely violent war between the two main gangs which ends in all the big players being killed, the small one being arrested and the kids of the city take control. Welcome to The City Of God. This is by far the best foreign language film have ever seen. It is totally unmissable. The whole cast are phenomenal, but it is Leandro Firmino who steals the shoe as L'il Zé. His is brilliant as the terrifying and merciless psychopath who became king of The City Of God. Phellipe Haagensen is amazing aswell as Bené and he does a great job acing as the voice of reason for L'il Zé. Alexandre Rodrigues who plays Rocket was good but nothing compared to the performances given by the rest of the cast and really being the main character he should have made more of an impact. In comparison to Firmino he was just unmemorable. Fernando Meirelles did a fantastic job behind the camera aswell. This is exactly the kind of film that if approached wrong could ruin the great story but luckily he was up for the challenge and gave one of film's most unmissable films. So a mesmerising film, made all the more moving and powerful by the fact that it is based on a true story. In my opinion it is one of the films to see before you die and definitely the one foreign film to see before you die. Stunning

Review published on the 06 October 2008 22:07