communication breakdown

Movie Review: City of God (2002)

[ 9 / 10 ] Fernando Meirelles is a relative newcomer to directing, but that didn't stop him from turning out one of the best films of the year in "City of God". It is ruthless, revealing, and heartbreaking. Perhaps the only thing more amazing than the story itself is that it is based on a true story...

"City of God" is a piercing look at three decades of crime, drugs and poverty in Rio de Janeiro. The story is seen through the eyes of Busca Pe (also known as Rocket), a young boy living in a rough neighborhood of Rio known as Cidade de Deus. It begins as a small and improverished residential area that, as a result of negative influences and selfish ambitions, begins a downward spiral that transforms it into the most dangerous slums in the city. Rocket is our innocent guide through the sad stories of the City.

He tells us the story of The Tender Trio, a three-man gang (one of whom is Rocket's brother) who troubled the neighborhood in the 60's and eventually met a tragic end. One of the boys who grew up with Rocket, nicknamed Li'l Dice, gets a small taste of power when he runs with the Trio, and he decides he wants it all for his own. Li'l Dice's story is the focal point of the film - the death of his innocence, his conversion into the drug-dealing powermonger Li'l Ze, and his eventual elimination of nearly all competition in his pursuit of becoming the boss of the city's underworld. It's a fascinating character study, and it is as frightening as it is moving.

Then there is the story of Knockout Ned, an honest man living in the slums whose life is completely destroyed by Li'l Ze. Driven by his noble desire for vengeance, he begins his own descent into the gangster world and eventually becomes nearly as bad as Ze himself. That's the thing about the City of God - everyone's story ends in sadness. Everyone except Rocket, that is: throughout the film he somehow finds a way to transcend the evil. It is refreshing to see someone stand against the seemingly unavoidable draw of gang life, but for the most part, there is no happiness in this forsaken place.

The interesting thing is that, in my opinion, Rocket is not even the protagonist. He doesn't really have much of a story of his own - he plays a bit part in most of the other stories, and perhaps has an epilogue to call his own, but he is more narrator than active participant. In fact, I'm not sure there's a protagonist at all in this story - that usually requires a main character to pull for. That's the interesting thing about this "crime drama" - it's atypical in its ruthlessness. If anything, it parallels "Goodfellas" in content, but certainly not in style.

And oh what style it has! Don't think because I haven't mentioned it until now that it's not one of the film's defining characteristics - consider it a case of saving the best for last. Meirelles has an eye for catchy camerawork - it pervades every second of this film. In terms of cinematography, this is one of the coolest and most stylish films I've ever seen. From the opening chicken-chase scene, to the ultimate conclusion of Rocket and Ze's story, the camerawork is brilliant. It's a disturbing ride, but an exhilirating one as well.

But above all, the story carries this film - or more accurately, stories. Along with the stories are some truly hard-hitting images: kids killing kids, the demoralizing power of drugs, the inability to escape the slums - this is in no way a children's movie. In fact, I wouldn't call it an adult movie either - many people might be put off by the violence and cruelty of the film. But it is essential that the director convey these, because they are necessities in telling the story of the City of God. This is a poweful, disturbing film - with a storyteller's eye for detail and a captivating mastery of the camera, the director brings us along for the thrillng ride.