City of Men

63

Miramax Films (110 minutes)
and Paulo Morelli
Douglas Silva , Darlan Cunha , and Rodrigo dos Santos

Rating: R for violent content, language and some sexuality

Summary: Growing up in a culture dictated by violence, as well as street gangs, teenagers Acerola and Laranjinha have become close as brothers. With their 18th birthdays fast approaching, Laranjinha sets out to find the father he never met, while Acerola struggles to raise his own young son. But when they suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of a gang war, the lifelong friends are forced to confront a shocking secret from their shared past. (Miramax)

Steven Rea
Philadelphia Inquirer:
(88) In many ways, City of Men is like a Portuguese-language version of David Simon's "The Wire."

Shawn Levy
Portland Oregonian:
(75) It's energetic and occasionally inspired. Its gritty, sweaty, shiny feel deepens the case that there's a vital new essence to Brazilian cinema.

Ruthe Stein
San Francisco Chronicle:
(75) A compelling and visually arresting drama.

Michael Phillips
Chicago Tribune:
(75) Director Morelli and editor Daniel Rezende know how to set up complex lines of action and keep the screws tight.

Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer:
(75) The three leads all played these characters over multiple seasons on the TV show; they're comfortable in these skins, and they show that. (Confusingly, all three appeared in "City of God" under other characters' names.)

Bill White
Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
(75) Cunha and Silva, both featured in 2002's similarly themed "City of God," have been playing these roles since they were 13, and the rapport between them is electrifying. Much of the sweetness of the film comes from what they bring to their roles.

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