My all-time favourite film... and I mean it!

Rating: 9/10 (7 April 2015)

I think I have watched this film several times by now and I'll probably watch it several times more in my lifetime. I'm not the kind of person who watches films more than once. If I remember what happens I don't need to see it again.
There are only a small number of films I can watch over and over: - The Shining; Warriors; Leon the Professional; Golgo 13; Ninja Scroll; Jungle Book; Southern Comfort and of course, City of God.
The film is so engrossing. I remember when I first watched it I was sucked into the storyline and forgot everything happening around me. The way it's been directed really feels like you're watching real life. The slums feel like slums. The cast all look like they belong in their environment (the director apparently cast a lot of people who weren't actors and actually came from the city of God). The dramatic movements are genuinely moving. I can't put any spoilers here, so all I'll say is the moment at the end gave me goosebumps. If a film can do that to me, I applaud the writers and directors.
I recommend this film to everyone.