A photographer named buscape narrates short stories of his youth growing up in one of the most crime ridden areas of rio de janeiro. The film introduces many characters including a boyhood friend on a path to becoming a drug dealer in one of the worlds most dangerous areas from the late 60s to the early 80s. Studio: Buena Vista Home Video Release Date: 09/01/2006 Run time: 130 minutes Rating: R

Like cinematic dynamite, City of God lights a fuse under its squalid Brazilian ghetto, and we're a captive audience to its violent explosion. The titular favela is home to a seething army of impoverished children who grow, over the film's ambitious 20-year timeframe, into cutthroat killers, drug lords, and feral survivors. In the vortex of this maelstrom is L'il Z (Leandro Firmino da Hora--like most of the cast, a nonprofessional actor), self-appointed king of the dealers, determined to eliminate all competition at the expense of his corrupted soul. With enough visual vitality and provocative substance to spark heated debate (and box-office gold) in Brazil, codirectors Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund tackle their subject head on, creating a portrait of youthful anarchy so appalling--and so authentically immediate--that City of God prompted reforms in socioeconomic policy. It's a bracing feat of stylistic audacity, borrowing from a dozen other films to form its own unique identity. You'll flinch, but you can't look away. --Jeff Shannon

It has a disturbing and thought-propvoking plot. It shows what life has in store for many kids in one of Rio de Janeiro's ghettos, City of God. They learn to kill, rob, and sell drugs to get rich. Most of them will end up being killed.

The acting look real. The surprising thing is most of them are non-professional actors.

The film is interesting from the beginning till the end. If you like movie dealing with social issues. This is definitely for you. It's the best movie from Brazil so far.

This film was absolutely amazing. Though parts of it were quite graphic and may not be appropriate for all viewers, the truth it held was incredible. It will really open yours eyes to what goes on this world and what some people might be driven to do to survive. It also shows that not all people who do bad things are really bad people.

I was required to view this for a college course in urban geography (in class) Not only did it truly hold the attention of the entire class of 40 exhausted evening class students, but we talked about it for weeks afterward. I am so glad our instructor opened our eyes to this film. It even prompted me to purchase the book (which is also excellent but much more graphic, even disturbing at times).

That said, however, if you are bothered by violence I do not recommend watching this movie.

I knew nothing of this film before I saw it by chance in a rare Pub open screening, but boy was I glad I got the chance to take a look. I was riveted all night - I completely ignored my friends! I thought it was an awesome re-enactment of a true story - powerful, moving, raw, real - and even funny in parts. I walked away afterwards, beaming. It's rare a great film like this is made, especially these days. I gave it five out of five. Please see it if you can.

This movie has been on my Movies to watch list way to long, and I regret that it took so long for me to finnally watch this film. 5 stars no doubt. I'm sure by now you have read about the plot and spoilers so i won't go into that detail. However I will say that this film has AMAZING balance. Drama, action, humor, realism, cinematography, lighting, ect...

It has alot of flashbacks, but they are always clear and labled so you really can't get confused.

I also have to encourage you to watch the documentry in the special features on the dvd. But be ready to be sad.

City of God is a beautiful film by director Fernando Meirelles. The movie focuses on the true life story of a boy who struggles to grow up in the tough streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The plot of the film is pieced together through various character subplots that ultimately interwine in the end to result in an explosive finish (the intertwined story editing is similiar to such movies as Fight Club, Momento, and Crash). Overall City of God is an incredibly pulsating film that is well acted and above all else real. As a warning to some the film is very violent but not gratuitous.