In Reply to: City of God posted by Victor Khomenko on May 22, 2005 at 17:06:32:
The Godfather, I Was A Fugitive From a Chain Gang, Once Upon a Time in America, Goodfellas, or any other crime epic.
The story is about two boyhood friends from one of the most dangerous slums in Rio: one finds a way out as a photographer and the other becomes a drug pin. This is, btw, based on a true story.
In the favelas of Rio, many kids begin using drugs, usually sniffing brain-cell destroying glue, around the age of 4. A more brutal, cut-throat environoment can't be found, yet it also a place where self-sacrifice, kindness, and love flowers: similar to a war zone, in other words.
The two main characters, and a host of supporting ones, are excellent. Many are non-actors portraying "themselves."
The style of the film, not unlike Pulp Fiction or Snatch, is comprised of complex directorial techniques but they brilliantly are incorparated and add to the excitement.
No, favelas are not a pretty world, but this film doesn't preach, excuse, or seek pity for the brutality it portrays.
You want a modern "noir" film? See this one...but prepare yourself to be moved.
Many, many film critics selected this as one of the best films of the year, with several major critics calling it a masterpiece.
It is.
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Follow Ups
- A brilliant film, easily the equal of - tinear 18:45:56 05/22/05 (5)
- Agree, it's a very memorable film... - mkuller 14:23:09 05/23/05 (0)
- Well, I don't think it is equal to Godfather, and the Gorfather itself is not such a great film - Victor Khomenko 20:29:48 05/22/05 (1)
- Re: Well, I don't think it is equal to Godfather, and the Gorfather itself is not such a great film - jamesgarvin 07:39:30 05/23/05 (0)
- "...easily the equal of The Godfather..." ?!?!?! - sjb 20:09:34 05/22/05 (1)
- Coulda sworn it was 2 comments ago you - tinear 14:44:44 05/23/05 (0)