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Lower City
User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6

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  1. ChadS.
    May 5, 2007
    5
    On their way to El Salvador, Deco(Lazaro Ramos) and Naldinho(Wagner Moura) attend a cock fight. Karinna(Alice Braga) wanted a quicker ride(the two men own a boat) so she took off with a trucker. "Lower City" doesn't go with her, presumably because the filmmaker wanted to establish that the continuation of a long-term friendship should take priority over the collective temporary lust for some midriff-baring trollop. "Lower City" is more concerned with the men. We don't learn a damn thing about Karinna because the film self-consciously wants her to remain an object of desire. If we learn too much about this girl(if say, she was abused by an uncle) the numerous love scenes by which Braga flaunts her nubility in a passionate state of undress, would seem more sorrowful than erotic if her insatiability had the appearance of a stopgap measure for her tumultuous past. At the cockfight, a cock dies. If you're completely unaware of what inevitability is in store for Deco and Naldinho, you've probably been to more cockfights than movies. The sex is hot, but since "Lower City" isn't strong on character development, or story, our attitude towards Braga's nudity takes on a "been there, seen that" disposition.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. NicoDaFlagburna
    Jan 27, 2011
    8
    The premise is standard-fare and undoubtedly lightweight but there is enough here to warrant my captivation. It is the dynamics of the male relationship that makes this film attractive and despite being almost ambient in tone there is a pervading sense of emotional friction. We are offered very little back-story about their lives which makes it difficult to judge the characters, particularly as it seems they are carrying a lot of baggage. The film raises questions relating to the roles of sexuality and violence existing either as a force for creation or destruction. Ultimately a simple film which is substantial in thought but maybe lacking in creativity. 8/10 78/100… Expand
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
61 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. Variety
    Reviewed by: Deborah Young
    70
    Though the storyline is dirt simple and not particularly meaningful or involving, the action in this character-driven film is scintillatingly sexy.
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  2. The New Yorker
    Reviewed by: Anthony Lane
    70
    In the end, Lower City is never quite as energetic as it wants to be, touched by the strange, milky lethargy that steeps every waterfront film.
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  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Michael Atkinson
    50
    A bone-tired tale underneath.
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