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Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha, Jonathan Haagensen, Rodrigo dos Santos, Camila Monteiro ... see more see more... , Naima Silva , Eduardo BR Piranha , Luciano Vidigal , Pedro Henrique , Vitor Oliveira , Vinicius Oliveira

Two lifelong friends raised amidst the turmoil of Rio de Janeiro's notorious Pool Hall Hill attempt to navigate the treacherous maze of adulthood after celebrating their 18th birthdays and becoming ca... read more read more...ught up in the city's endless cycle of violence in director Paulo Morelli's companion piece to the Golden Globe-winning drama City of God. Laranjinha (Darlan Cunha) and Acerola (Douglas Silva) may not be bound by blood, but these childhood friends are closer to one another than most brothers. While their friendship has gone a long way in helping them both to cope with the strife that surrounds them, the hard truth is that they will both have to fend for themselves now that they've entered into adulthood. For Laranjinha, entering this stage in life means finding his long-lost father; for Acerola it means finally taking responsibility for his growing family. Now, as Laranjinha's cousin, quick-tempered local drug lord Madrugadão (Jonathan Haagensen), finds his power threatened by his former right-hand man Nefasto (Eduardo BR Piranha), it quickly becomes apparent that a formidable war is brewing in the poverty-stricken shantytown. The brother of Laranjinha's girlfriend, Camila (Naima Silva), looks to be a key component in this battle, threatening to draw a neutral man into a deadly confrontation. Meanwhile, Acerola's wife, Cris (Camila Monteiro), is threatening to move to São Paolo so that her family won't be consumed by the violence that has torn apart so many families before. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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77% liked it

6,465 ratings

Critics

76% liked it

80 critics

R, 1 hr. 51 min.

Directed by: Paulo Morelli

Release Date: August 31, 2007

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DVD Release Date: July 1, 2008

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Stats: 819 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (819)

  • phubbs1
    February 9, 2012
    phubbs1
    To be honest I was let down with this, after the harrowing, depressing kill fest of the original this is actually pretty tame. Not much killing and not much action either, there's alot of talk and plot layout which is fine but you do find your mind starting to wander haha

    The ca... read morest are all excellent along with the locations and sweaty, grimy, run down look of the whole film, its so realistic it puts you off wanting to go anywhere near Brazil for a holiday ;) Some of the scenery is truely amazing though.

    Overall its quite boring until the final sequence but even that is average, and then its over all too quick. Not a bad film but not really engaging either.
  • blacksheepboy
    April 9, 2011
    blacksheepboy
    A worthy follow-up and conclusion to the TV series, but unfairly shadowed by the impact and greatness of Cidade de Deus. The two long-time friends now deal with problems that are more compelling than before, and they even get caught up in a war between rival gangs that could cost... read more them their friendship.
  • garyX
    March 4, 2010
    garyX
    As two friends from the slums of Rio approach their 18th birthdays, a war between two gangs tears their community apart. Continuing the themes of City Of God, City Of Men takes up the story of life in the Brazilian ghetto as the boys become "men", brought up in an society where t... read morehe family unit is all but defunct. Girls have to grow up at a very young age in an environment where they have no access to contraception and no money for abortion clinics, made pregnant by boys who have no roots, no emotional connections or sense of responsibility as they grew up without role models, having been brought up fatherless themselves and left to fend alone on the dog eat dog streets while their mothers go out to work. The film has the same combination of excellent visuals, intelligent characterisation and amazingly naturalistic performances of the original. It doesn't quite have the same sense of complexity or originality of City Of God, but does once again manage to create a real sense of what it must be like to grow up on these mean streets, showing the incredibly tense gun battles through the darkened slums as anything but glamorous and appealing. It does share the same underlying message as well; if the cycle is not broken, then history will continue repeating itself and nothing will ever change.
  • gor41
    October 10, 2008
    gor41
    Episodic collection of tales which offer a fascinating further insight into favela life in the vain of 'City of God'. Runs out of original plots in the later episodes but there are some clever gems.
  • DrZeek
    September 11, 2008
    DrZeek
    Ace: Now there are just the two of us.

    Following the success of the brilliant film, City of God, a spinoff TV show was created in Brazil, which ran for four seasons. This film follows the same main characters from the show to give audiences a new story set in the modern day Rio ... read moreslums.

    The story revolves around Wallace and Ace, two lifelong friends, both living in the slums, getting by. Both are about to turn 18 and fatherless. Ace is a young husband and father and Wallace is the nephew of a local gang leader.

    One plot strand revolves around Wallace finding his father and developing a relation with him, as well as learning about his past. Another deals with incidents that create issue between the two best friends. This is mainly due to a gang war that erupts and splits the town apart.

    Going in to this, it was easy for me to know that this film would not match the brilliance that is City of God. However, this is still a well made and effective film. While City of God worked its way through a few decades, kept in line by its rapid pace, strong acting and visual style, great soundtrack, and overall kinetic spark that gave great life to the film, City of Men works more as a straight forward narration that still benefits from a good visual sense and strong performances.

    The film is not as much about portraying the kinds of issues that have plagued this area of Rio or showing the various characters and the numerous connections they have to the city. The film is much more a drama as well, while City of God was able to inject a good amount of humor and energy throughout, this film certainly dwells in its darkness.

    These things do not make it a bad film, it certainly does the job, it just isn't as fresh and certainly sits in the zone of comparison to the original film.

    Well done film, but lacks a spark.

    Ace: [he and Wallace are holding Clayton's hand] Clayton, don't worry 'cause I'm gonna teach you all I know. Let's cross.
    Wallace: Okay.
    Ace: Clayton, before you cross the street, you have to look both ways. First this way, then that way. Let's go.
  • flickfever
    March 17, 2008
    flickfever
    City of Men (the sequel to City of God) manages to be a great deal better than its predecessor. This movie, like the previous, continues the theme of showing the hard life that kids have growing up in the slums of Rio de Janeiro. But where this films surpasses the first is in its... read more portrayal of a more human characters.

    In City of God, the boys were ruthless, soulless killers. In City of Men, although still ruthless, cold-blooded killers, they are portrayed with a little bit more humanity. They are more well-rounded characters with a backstory that makes them relatable and, in some ways, worthy of sympathy.

    Usually, I hate movies that are tinged with such violent tones and themes, but this managed to keep me hooked and caring for the characters whose lives I was watching unfold before me. The most poignant thing about it was knowing that, although fictional in plot, the stories seen onscreen must certainly happen in real life--and that makes the film transcend gratuitous violence status.
  • kenstachnik
    October 30, 2007
    kenstachnik
    Diet City of God
  • gator681
    March 26, 2009
    gator681
    [font=Century Gothic]"City of Men" starts with Midnight(Jonathan Haagensen) wanting to go down to the beach. It is a lot harder than it sounds because he is actually a gangster who has not left his perch on Dead End Hill in three years. But everything is eventually cleared for ... read morehim to go and he proceeds with his entourage trailing behind him. Bored, his cousin Wallace(Darlan Cunha) follows in his wake with his best friend Ace(Douglas Silva) and his young son Clayton. Wallace is almost 18 and is so obsessed with finding his father, that the two bolt from the beach to follow up a lead, leaving Clayton behind. Midnight's problems are no less insignificant as he has to punish a criminal act of stupidity.[/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]"City of Men" is a visually arresting crime melodrama with a huge contrivance that never quite manages to tie its two competing storylines together. What would have been more effective is if it would have been more about the neighborhood residents living in a constant state of siege in the shadow of the crime lords with little help from the police while not sensationalizing the violence in the bargain. [/font]
    [font=Century Gothic][/font]
    [font=Century Gothic]As depicted, the gangs are a welcome haven for those who grow up without fathers. But considering Wallace and Ace grew up without fathers and turned out okay, then it might not be the worst thing in the world. By the way, I think missing fathers are a product of abject poverty, not the other way around. In the end, I will leave the moralizing to those who can afford to.[/font]
  • wbgoose13
    March 5, 2008
    wbgoose13
    All the original elements of City of God, only condensed, contrived, and unsatisfying.
  • jonnycrumley
    March 17, 2010
    jonnycrumley
    Good movie from Brazil. City of Men is about 2 best friends Acerola and Laranjinha, who are about to turn 18. They both discover things about their missing fathers' pasts which will shatter their solid friendship, in the middle of a war between rival drug gangs from Rio's favelas... read more. It's well acted with a solid storyline. It may not be as good as City of God, but it still packs a punch.

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Critic Reviews

Roger Moore
March 14, 2008
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

It plays like a Western, and the violence, while plentiful and visceral, rarely has the kind of raw impact you want in a movie such as this. Morelli keeps most of the blood off-camera. Full Review

Richard Roeper
March 10, 2008
Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper

[It has] a real ring of authenticity in every scene.

Wesley Morris
February 29, 2008
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Where City of God was ferocious, grandiose, and glamorous, this movie is modest and intimate, acoustic where the other was desperate to electrify. Full Review

J. R. Jones
February 29, 2008
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

The story might have been lifted from an old Warner Brothers melodrama, though it's smartly paced, sincerely delivered, and consistently absorbing. Full Review

Rick Groen
February 29, 2008
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Along comes a sequel of sorts, City of Men, but the difference is clear right from the first frame: Meirelles is gone and so is the intensity. What's left is a mix of credible sociology and tired melo... Full Review

Jake Coyle
February 29, 2008
Jake Coyle, Associated Press

Though the histrionics of City of Men are a bit obvious, and it lacks the bravado of City of God, it's ultimately a more rewarding film.

Kevin Crust
February 29, 2008
Kevin Crust, Los Angeles Times

Our investment in their plight is ultimately enough to withstand the contrivance of the plot thread that tightens and tests the young men's relationship. Full Review

Elizabeth Weitzman
February 29, 2008
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

The movie's power comes less from its contrived story than everything else: the stark setting, chaotic energy and authentic cast. Full Review

V.A. Musetto
February 29, 2008
V.A. Musetto, New York Post

Performances are up to par, but the story unfolds conventionally -- it lacks the fragmented fury of its predecessor. You might call it City of God Lite. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
February 29, 2008
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

Yet even with its reined-in aims, City of Men still gives you what few American urban crime movies do -- a sense of life as it's really lived in the slums, where there are few options and almost all o... Full Review

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