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Director: Paulo Morelli

Cast: Douglas Silva, Darlan Cunha, Jonathan Haagensen, Rodrigo dos Santos, Camila Monteiro, Naima Silva

City of Men based on the cult TV series of the same name is the story of two friends who are about to turn 18 and face the challenges of adulthood. A really heart warming story told in the most simplest manner and is different in its execution to City of God.

Acerola (Douglas Silva) and Laranjinha (Darlan Cunha) grew up more like two brothers than two friends in a backdrop filled with violence, anger, crude and unforgiving gangs in a part of Rio de Janiero called Dead Hill. Fast forward Acerola before being 18 has become a dad and has to take care of his own baby boy when his wife moves to Sao Paulo. Laranjinha always wished he knew who his father was, as with the case of most street kids in the hill. So he starts searching for his unknown father only to discover he’s a murderer and a convict on parole. There 3 very different themes going on in this movie. One is Acerola and how he has to deal with being a father. Second is Laranjinha’s efforts to finding his dad and third is to be with his love Camila (Naimi silva). While all of this happens, the background and atmosphere is violent with gang lord and his trusted man forming rival gangs and going at each other. As the big war breaks out, a shocking truth is unveiled which dents the friendship of the lead characters who are forced to ask a question, Friendship or Death?

Every character is given equal screentime and is developed in a very effective manner. The flashbacks are very apt and is very understandable even if one hasn’t watched the TV series. The movie has the same style as the City of God but the violence is comparatively less, very limited drug abuse and the story is concentrated on the main characters. This makes the movie watchable by everyone.

Words cannot describe how brilliant the direction is. The Executive producer Fernando Meirelles (Director of City of God) showed faith in Paulo Morelli and we can see why. The shots are the Beach and at night are like picture postcards. Cinematography, editing and other technical departments are as good as City of God. Every actor in this movie stands out as they match each other head to head and face to face. There is a good balance between the humorous scenes and the violent ones. The best scene in the movie is the ending, I won’t tell anything more further as you have to watch this movie without fail.

I wonder if a sequel would be made to this, cause if they do I for one cannot wait for it. Let me ask everyone a question now. Are you to suffer and face the consequences of the sins and acts committed by your own father?