easily one of the best movies of the year, period.

Rating: 10/10 (29 April 2005)

Co-Directors Fernado Meirelles and Kátia Lund have crafted a stylish and engrossing film about the exploits of children in the poverty stricken ghettos of Rio de Janeiro. The story centers around the story of two young men, Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues), who has taken the path of becoming a newspaper photographer and the psychotic Li'l Zé (Leandro Firmino) who rises to the head of the drug trade in the City of God.
While the story is certainly well written and engrossing, what really stands out in this film is the style with which it is told. It was quite simply a joy to watch. Most directors would give anything to be able to tell a story with the kind of style that Meirelles and Lund exhibit here. It is easily one of the best movies of the year, period. Not one of the best American movies, not one of the best foreign films, but simply one of the best of the year, no matter its origin.
When watching this film one of the first things I thought was that the director(s) will be making films in America soon. Sure enough Meirelles is now directing a movie starring Ralph Feinnes. Since Lund is not included on this project it will be interesting to see just how much of the style of City of God came from Meirelles and how much came from Lund. We should have the answer to that question once The Constant Gardner comes out. Lund is now working on a short film that will be included in the anthology All the Invisible Children. After having viewed both these films, we should have the answer to just how much of the visual style of Children of God came from Meirelles and how much came from Lund. I know I will definitely be checking out both as soon as I can. Definitely two hours very well spent!  Deanna Carmichael (www.2-hours.com)