You can't under rate a film like this

Rating: Null/10 (20 March 2004)

This is a truly fantastic film. The art direction, cinematography and overall style is easily better than any movie up for an Oscar this year. It is unfortunate (due both to the release timing and Oscar timing) that this film was not up for Best Picture.
The plot of this film is by far secondary to the methodology of the storytelling. Few films are able to so completely portray the conditions of a particular locale as this film. The juxtaposition of the lush and beautiful Brazilian rainforest landscapes against the harsh, gritty urban lifestyles portrayed in the movie creates and moving, entralling visual masterpiece. I highly recommend this film to anyone interested more in visual artistry than plot and story development. At the same time, this is not to say that the story is irrelevant, just that you cold easily watch this film sans audio and still be very aware and concerned with the development of the characters. Overeall, it is a very moving and beautiful piece.