City of God

City of God
by Fernando Meirelles, Kátia Lund

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Movie Reviews of City of God

Movie Review: A masterpiece. You must not miss City of God.
Summary: 5 Stars

Technically, the film triumphs. But not with prototypical summer-blockbuster CGI. It amazes with its editing and cinematography, two aspects of film making not often recognized by the common person. But when one watches City of God, one realizes how crucial they are to the delivery of a story. The cinematography is colorful, beautiful; the tones and colors change with each decade, with each place. And there are shots so innovative you will have to rewind and watch them again to realize that what you'd just seen is reality. For instance, at the start of the film, the main character, Rocket, is in between a gang and a small battalion of police. But before the battle or outcome is explored any further, the camera swirls around his head, he shrinks, everything deteriorates into a beige wasteland, and the clock is visually turned back to the '60s. I was amazed after having watched this shot. It was so unique and full of substance, like nothing I'd seen before.

The editing underscores the life the people in the "Cidade de Deus" must live. The film centers around the development, establishment and clashes between two gangs: one lead by Carrot, another lead by the insane, death-obsessed Li'l Ze, who murders and kills those who stand in the way of his drug business, or those who simply annoy him. Every inhabitant of the slums is constantly vigilante. And the editors cut back and forth between eyes, feet, guns, and bullets so quickly and cleanly that a gauranteed sense of persistent paranoia is achieved with utter grace.

Another strong aspect of the film is its writing. The narrative structure allows for a unique explanation of each important gang or character that roams the City (at times, there is a non-linear play with time itself, introducing specific characters, such as Li'l Ze, with chilling imagery and completed sequences). The narrator himself, Rocket, grows from a young boy to a teenager inside the borders of the chaotic district, thus knowing the ins-and-outs of every part of the social and physical life within the region. He politely introduces himself, some dangerous family members, and even distant thugs, such as the Elementary-aged Runts. His know-how is sensed and becomes very casual, but adventurous, even breath-taking.

One monologue in particular resonated with me: A young woman of the slums is being seduced by a member of the Tender Trio, one of the earlier gangs found at the beginning of the film. Despite his numerous courses of action, she at first pushes him away for being a "hood" (short for hoodlum), saying, "Hoods don't stop, hoods take breaks...hoods don't love, they desire." She continues with some of the most mesmerizing words of the entire film, remaining in your heart and your head for days after the credits roll.

Some of the performances in City inevitably spark your interest. The main characters -Benny, Li'l Ze and Rocket- are played with charisma and soul; in the case of Li'l Ze, Douglas Silva manages to discover his inner being. There are scenes when the ruthless Ze lets go of his "boss of the slums" persona and breaks down in tears, revealing darker regions of his already shadowed-over psyche. Silva's performance is, by far, the best in the film.

Overall, City of God is most certainly the greatest film in years. Apart from being creative, visually stunning and intelligent, it is honest, telling us, "We're not going to censor this violence, because then we would not be sharing the real core of the Cidade de Deus' existence. Children do kill. Children are killed. Drugs are rampant. It is chaos, not a PG-13 adventure flick." Again, I commend Meirelles for allowing this film to remain in raw form. City of God has invaded the cinema with its genius portrayal of a City that has become a sort of myth among those who live far, far way. Our eyes have been opened. And as the president of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, has clearly established, we need to act. City of God is a banner demanding change.

Summary of City of God