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City of Men
Miramax Films


7.8

based on 25 reviews
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based on 6 votes
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MPAA RATING: R for violent content, language and some sexuality

Starring Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha, and Rodrigo dos Santos

Growing up in a culture dictated by violence, as well as street gangs, teenagers Acerola and Laranjinha have become close as brothers. With their 18th birthdays fast approaching, Laranjinha sets out to find the father he never met, while Acerola struggles to raise his own young son. But when they suddenly find themselves on opposite sides of a gang war, the lifelong friends are forced to confront a shocking secret from their shared past. (Miramax)

GENRE(S):	Drama
WRITTEN BY:	Elena Soarez (story) Paulo Morelli (story) Elena Soarez
DIRECTED BY:	Paulo Morelli
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: July 1, 2008 Theatrical: February 29, 2008
RUNNING TIME:	110 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	Brazil
LANGUAGE(S):	Portuguese

Alternative Title: Cidade dos Homens

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

In many ways, City of Men is like a Portuguese-language version of David Simon's "The Wire."

Portland Oregonian Shawn Levy

It's energetic and occasionally inspired. Its gritty, sweaty, shiny feel deepens the case that there's a vital new essence to Brazilian cinema.

San Francisco Chronicle Ruthe Stein

A compelling and visually arresting drama.

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

Director Morelli and editor Daniel Rezende know how to set up complex lines of action and keep the screws tight.

Charlotte Observer Lawrence Toppman

The three leads all played these characters over multiple seasons on the TV show; they're comfortable in these skins, and they show that. (Confusingly, all three appeared in "City of God" under other characters' names.)

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Bill White

Cunha and Silva, both featured in 2002's similarly themed "City of God," have been playing these roles since they were 13, and the rapport between them is electrifying. Much of the sweetness of the film comes from what they bring to their roles.

USA Today Claudia Puig

A poignant look at the legacies of fathers who abdicate their responsibilities.

TV Guide Ken Fox

It's lighter, funnier and violent, and it's not entirely without hope, making this tale of survival under horrendous conditions far more suitable for younger, more impressionable audiences.

Chicago Reader J.R. Jones

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

Variety Derek Elley

Despite its sudsy storyline, this second tour through the punk-infested Rio slums could attract more mature arthouse auds, drawn by character rather than the minutiae of guns 'n' drugs, though it's unlikely to match "God's" muscular $7.5 million U.S. take.

Washington Post John Anderson

So much emotional traffic streams through this City of Men that it's easy to miss a narrative turnoff. You won't get lost, but your sense of direction might be profoundly changed.

Film Threat K.J. Doughton

Some might perceive City of Men as a slow film, while others could reasonably argue that Morelli is taking more time to develop characters.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin

City Of Men has its share of problems, but being too entertaining isn't one of them.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Intriguing.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

As heavy with message as any Hollywood delinquent drama of the late '50s.

New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman

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

The Globe and Mail (Toronto) Rick Groen

A mix of credible sociology and tired melodrama, along with a palpable sense of déjà vu. Because the plight of boyz 'n' the hood is a global tragedy, its depiction on the screen has become a global commonplace with its own attendant danger – the tragedy is starting to feel trite.

New York Magazine David Edelstein

City of Men is clunky and often contrived, but there’s something haunting about fatherless boys in a blighted place fumbling to teach themselves what it means to be a man.

Village Voice Julia Wallace

Paulo Morelli directs capably, with a heavy dash of MTV-generation flair: hyper-saturated colors, close-ups of skin glittering with sweat, and a constant patter of gunfire that undergirds the soundtrack like a steady heartbeat.

The New York Times Stephen Holden

City of Men has a more humane, you might say bleeding-heart, perspective on this anarchic culture than “City of God.”

Los Angeles Times Kevin Crust

Morelli uses plentiful flashbacks drawn from the earlier movie and television series that are at times intrusive to the narrative but eventually serve to deepen the relationship of Ace and Laranjinha.

Baltimore Sun Michael Sragow

It's doubly disappointing that all the subplots about Ace and Wallace and their fathers intertwine in increasingly predictable ways.

Boston Globe Wesley Morris

The movie has a dramatic thinness, breezy tone, and unconvincing happy-ish ending that make it feel more inconsequential than anything about killers and imperiled children probably should.

New York Post V.A. Musetto

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."

Miami Herald Rene Rodriguez

Six years after its release, "City of God" is still electrifying and fresh: It hasn't aged a bit. City of Men, though, already feels strangely stale.

The average user rating for this movie is 7.8 (out of 10) based on 6 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

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City of Men Miramax Films

City of Men
Miramax Films