If you have liked the films like Pulp Fiction, Amorros Perros, Lock stock and two smoking barrels and other movies of such genre very violence is shown in a glorified manner through the eyes of the characters but each time with a different perspective then here is one more movie that adds to the list of such movies.
City of God is a master piece from Brazil. The Story, style, and substance of it are combined in to a powerful and unforgettable film. Like all other reviews I have thought of introducing this movie with the a brief description about the plot. But its one hell of task to put the entire plot of City of Gods in few lines. The story is revealed in a series of flashbacks and flashforwards yet the movie would not confuse you but it will keep you glued to your seats.
The movie is told from the point of view of Rocket played by Alexandre Rodriguez who narrates the story and through his narration we come to know about the story of city of gods. Like we always narrate real life stories in a nonlinear fashion this movie too uses the same technique. When a new character is introduced there is a brief introductory backstory that tells us more about the new character. This Brazilian movie was adapted from a novel by Paulo Lin. The novel is based on a true story. The story is set between the period of late 1960s to late 1980s. The city of god is actually about the story set in a Rio de Janeiro housing project called Cidade de Deus and the lives of young children who grow up in a world of crime and become killers of their own lives.
In the ’city of God’ resorting to crime is the only way to make money. The crimes the brazilian youth commit includes from drug trafficking to robbery and murder. In such a world Rocket quickly learns that life of crime isn’t for him and he decides to pursue an interest in photography. It is through his narration we are introduced to various characters including Lil’ Zé (Leandro Firmino da Hora), Angelica (Alice Braga), ’’The Tender Trio’’, Thiago, Knockout Ned and others.
Even though the movie is based on a true story the narration is real but the technique used by the Director Fernando Meirelles and the cinematography by Cesar Charlone’s will surely remind you of some older master pieces like Pulp Fiction, Traffic etc.
The movie is flooded with dozens of characters and brief short stories of their lives which interconnect to form a brilliant story with lots of surprises hitting you at the right moment of time. This is a great movie. It has to be seen to be believed.I know that this review will never be able to be convince you.Because the movie is more of a visual treat.There are very few movies that you will remember for a long time after you watch them.There have been so many movies in the past that dealt with crime in a documentaristic style but nothing like City of Gods.
Most of all, the film is brilliant and its full of passion for true and genuine films.The film never falls into false sentimentality or anything like that. ’City Of God’ has already won some international awards for the best film of 2003 and Fernando Meirelles is a name that you will definitely hear again.
If you have liked this review and if you are planning to watch this movie watch the following movies too..
Pulp fiction
Lock, Stock and two smoking Barrels,
Traffic,
Amerros Perros,
Magnolia.