Linha de Passe (15)

Thursday 28th January 2010
Walter Salles, Daniella Thomas 2008 - 108 mins
Brazil
Language: Portuguese

A stylish and arrestingly executed film about a mother and her four wayward sons, set in Sao Paolo, Brazil.  Four half brothers live inthe impoverished outskirts of the city with their mother, who is pregnant again.  While the directors clearly lament the social problems they document, crucially they allow their characters to live their lives.  Neither medlodramatic nor nihilistic, its aim is to show that we need not be victims of our environment.

Score:  60.00%

Some members' comments:

A harrowing soul-destroying film, but well made.
Real raw Brazil.
A good depiction of poverty in a mega city - not a satisfactory ending though.
Depressing.
Interesting, but slow and a bit pretentious - very sad really.

Disjointed, predictable ending.
Couldn't bring myself to care.
Superb editing.
Unsatisfactory ending.
Just felt like slapping them all!