Review of City of God (2002) by Yannis A — 13 Aug 2015

'CIDADE DE DEUS', or "City of God" is without a doubt one of the greatest films I've ever seen. Two things though, the entire movie requires subtitles as it is explicitly spoken in Portugese or Brazilian slum slang, and secondly, the film features harrowing scenes of children shooting other children among other third world atrocities. But director Fernando Meirelles directs with such vibrant energy and heart and passion for his story that he never glamorizes or uses the violence for the sake of popcorn entertainment. Beneath the copious amounts of violence, lies a study on the consequences of the murder and the sweeping scope of people and property that the gang wars in the story affect.

Also, just sheerly on a technical level, the movie is an absolute marvel. Meirelles understanding of pacing the story by at lighting pace,all while shifting between different periods of time, and holding it all together perfectly is marvelous. Also his staging of set pieces, particularly the shootouts, and his clever manipulation lighting and score lead to a unique and visceral viewing experience. The characters, even though speaking foreign tongue as to that of my native english, are incredibly fleshed out and portrayed wonderfully by mostly non-professional actors. The heartbreaking send-off party was a technical masterpiece and a riveting, ultra suspenseful climax. Must watch for any film enthusiast, but again, be able to stomach gruesome violence and disturbing content and images. Still, a masterpiece to the highest order and right of in the top echelon of crimes movies such as The Godfather (1&2), The Goodfellas, and The Departed.