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Ever since its released in late 2002/early 2003, this film has earned a lot of critical acclaim from film fans and critics all over the world! I was surprised when I noticed that City Of God reached the top 20 on IMDB's top 250 so I really needed to check this out! It has been called "the South American GoodFellas" and "the GoodFellas of the noughties". I mean, I can see why with the crime, deaths and drug deals but I feel that City Of God doesn't quite live up to GoodFellas. Besides GoodFellas, City Of God bought similarities to Slumdog Millionaire. To be honest, I think it is a good film for all people over the world to watch because it just goes to show that we should be grateful for what we've got because the people in City Of God have hardly got anything at all and people get killed a lot in Brazil. Then again, the same thing could be said about pretty much all African countries.
City Of God is set in the 60s and tells the story of two boys who have grown up together in a violent neighbourhood in Rio De Janiero who want to do two different things as part of their future career. One seeks to be a photographer and the other a drug dealer. Alexandre Rodrigues delivered a great performance as Buscapé (firecracker"). He is the main narrator and protagonist. A quiet, honest boy who dreams of becoming a photographer, and the only character who seems to keep from being dragged down into corruption and murder during the gang wars. Leandro Firmino Da Hora and Douglas Silva were awesome as Zé Pequeno aka Li'l Zé/Li'l Dice. He is an ultra-violent, psychopathic drug dealer who goes over dead bodies to fulfill his goals. He is deeply insecure with women. When his only friend Bené is struck by fate, it drives him over the edge.
Fernando Meirelles miraculously makes the film without any disturbance despite what happens within Brazil. He was once warned that because of the dangers that occur, the film would never be made. Because he decided to still go on with it despite the consequences, I really admire and respect him for that already after only watching this. City Of God earned four Academy Award nominations: Best Director (Fernando Meirelles), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing and Best Cinematography but wasn't quite so lucky at the Golden Globes when it received a nomination for Best Foreign Language Film but didn't win.
City Of God is an extremely disturbing, psychological and violent thrill ride that tells people all over the world particularly those in richer countries that life could be worse. Plus, it goes to show that those who live in rough neighbourhoods can at least try to succeed in their lives. One of the most powerful films of the decade.
9/10
