City of God

Name: City of God
Genre: Drama, Crime
Released: January 17, 2003
Duration: 130 min
Rating: 79
Cast: Alexandre Rodrigues, Matheus Nachtergaele

2003

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 563 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 563 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Miramax Films | Release Date: January 17, 2003 | R

Starring: Alexandre Rodrigues, Matheus Nachtergaele

Summary: Welcome to the world's most notorious slum: Rio de Janeiro's 'City of God.' A place where combat photographers fear to tread, where Police rarely go, and residents are lucky if they live to the age of 20. This is the true story of a young man who grew up on these streets and whose ambition as a photographer is our window in and ultimatelyWelcome to the world's most notorious slum: Rio de Janeiro's 'City of God.' A place where combat photographers fear to tread, where Police rarely go, and residents are lucky if they live to the age of 20. This is the true story of a young man who grew up on these streets and whose ambition as a photographer is our window in and ultimately may be him only way out. [Miramax]… Expand

Director: Fernando Meirelles and Kátia Lund

Genre(s): Drama, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 130 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

Breathtaking and terrifying, urgently involved with its characters, it announces a new director of great gifts and passions: Fernando Meirelles. Read full review

100

Shawn Levy

An exhilarating slap in the face, bracing and sexy, smart and visceral, stylish and raw -- the advent of a fabulously exciting new moviemaking talent. Read full review

100

Richard Corliss

The film is seductive, disturbing, enthralling -- a trip to hell that gives the passengers a great ride. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

Undeniably powerful, the work also comes with its own built-in shield against feeling any one character's difficulties too deeply, or for too long. Read full review

Jack Mathews

For those who didn't get enough violence from Martin Scorsese's "Gangs of New York," welcome to City of God. Read full review

David Rooney

The impressive filmmaking craftsmanship and sharp storytelling skills make this two-hour-plus epic fly by. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Undeniably powerful, but also rather numbing. Read full review

SEE ALL 33 REVIEWS

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User Reviews

VJSouchet

Aug 10, 2006

Just a brilliant movie on every front.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

VonSeux

Aug 1, 2012

Filmogaphy on this move is an evolution of anything hollywood ever acomplished. A real lesson on how to film a story that screams reality. One of the most violent movies ever made is also one of the most beautifully filmed.

9 of 13 users found this helpful94

NatW.

Mar 2, 2009

Only the best film ever! great soundtrack

0 of 0 users found this helpful

AJ_13

Jul 16, 2021

Violent and realistic. It achieves to portray a tragic reality without soften it up unnecessarily (which usually happens), showing all its rawness. Mindblowing directing and editing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

cameronmorewood

Nov 8, 2012

When the credits begin to roll, your eyes will be wide, thoughts racing, your mind still trying to comprehend the impeccable City of God.

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

nutterjr

Jan 8, 2012

I have been wanting to watch this film for several years now and now that I have, I realise why everyone has been recommending it. It is well crafted, small character stories of the favelas (slums) of Rio where violence is out of control and kids grow up thinking it is a natural way ofI have been wanting to watch this film for several years now and now that I have, I realise why everyone has been recommending it. It is well crafted, small character stories of the favelas (slums) of Rio where violence is out of control and kids grow up thinking it is a natural way of life. A story told passionately, by the director that also brought us the brilliant Constant Gardener, using mostly first time actors who grew up in these "hoods" and only have to be themselves, thus augmenting the reality feel factor of the film.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

DaveH.

Nov 19, 2006

Such a waste of great performances. No characters are fleshed out to the extent that they become interesting in any way. Rocket, despite being the protagonist, takes a passive, peripheral backseat to the action. The young Lil' Dice is played brilliantly and is a very convincing Such a waste of great performances. No characters are fleshed out to the extent that they become interesting in any way. Rocket, despite being the protagonist, takes a passive, peripheral backseat to the action. The young Lil' Dice is played brilliantly and is a very convincing psychopath, but we get to know little about either him or other characters. My interest in the film wandered constantly with so much of the narrative being devoted to exposition. Inconsequential informaion about characters' history and the logistics of the favella drug circuits is divulged by the truckload while the actual story plods throughout. Dramatically hollow and inertly paced, and this is meant to be a thriller? I have no desire to see this film again.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful

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37	#37 Best Movie of 2003
17	#17 Most Discussed Movie of 2003
13	#13 Most Shared Movie of 2003