CITY OF GOD (2003) (****)

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I have wanted to see this film for over a year and a half now. Ebert ranked it the second best film of 2002. It was released in U.S. theaters in January of 2003. Despite this fact (which usual hurts a film because Academy members forget) it was still nominated for four Oscars in 2003 -- Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay. It was a smash hit in its native Brazil and imdb.com ranks it as its readers' 31st most popular film of all time. Have I made you want to see it yet?

Here's the story: Rocket (Alexandre Rodrigues, GOLDEN GATE (PALACE II)) lives in the ghetto of Rio called the City of God – where corrupt cops fruitlessly try to control the street gangs. Rocket is the narrator of the film, which chronicles two decades of life in the slums. Rocket starts out by telling the story of his brother's gang and how Lil' Dice (Douglas Silva) grows up to become Lil' Ze (Leandro Firmino), the most ruthless gangster in town. Lil' Ze does this by murdering whomever stands in his way and accomplishes it by the age of 18. The only person who keeps Lil' Ze under control is his best friend Benny (Phellipe Haagensen), who serves as a peacemaker, especially between Ze and rival gang leader Carrot (Matheus Nachtergaele).

The City of God is a rough place to live and many of its members are on the brink of falling into crime. Even Rocket has a moment of weakness, but runs into Knockout Ned (Seu Jorge), who ends up playing a huge role in the history of the slums. What's so brilliant about this film is how it allows Rocket to tell his story as well as the City of God's tale. Only John Salles' LONE STAR or MATEWAN have brought to life the place where the characters live like this film did. There's one scene that chronicles the history of Lil' Ze's apartment over the years, which is a brilliantly constructed montage that says a lot about the generational flow of life in the City of God.

Lil' Ze may be the toughest hood around today by taking out his elder. But there are kids waiting to take out him. The film is violent, but not really bloody. There's one scene where Lil' Ze and his thugs set out to send a message to the kids of the neighbor who is boss that is one of the most heartbreaking scenes I've ever seen.

What's wonderful about the film is that it doesn't exclude the people of the neighborhood who are just trying to live a normal life like everyone else. We get that with the Rocket character who strives to become a photographer, and Benny, though a drug dealer, is never dehumanized. He's the most likable character in the film, because he is the kindest and doesn't display the ruthlessness of Lil' Ze.

The acting is natural. The cinematography is alive. The editing is amazing, especially with such a complicated story. Directors Kátia Lund and Fernando Meirelles bring a wonderful style to the film that's unlike anything I've seen. It's a little bit Tarantino, but more natural like Robert Altman or Martin Scorsese. There's been a lot of films about gangs, but not since THE GODFATHER have they been this grand or poetic. This is hands down one of the best films of 2003. A definite must see.