Realistic indeed

Rating: 7/10 (8 January 2006)

This is the story of the fight between two gangs for the control of a "favela" called "Cidade de Deus" (City of God) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The story develops against a background of poverty, squalor and lawlessness where the values which are obeyed are those imposed by the gangs. We see even children possessing and using guns, killing and robbing at ease. The images are extremely realistic and the cast without exception does a superb performance. The cut was made in syncopated scenes with lots of short flashbacks with the intention of conferring a vivid rhythm to the movie but revealing themselves sometimes excessive. The dialogues are also very realistic and full of strength. A good movie almost a masterpiece of its kind.