Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 01/18/2008(USA
Release Date: 07/08/2008
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English
Sound: DD5.1
Run Time: 106 Minutes
Flags: Graphic Violence, Profanity, Sexual Situations
Distributor/Studio: Miramax
Two lifelong friends raised amidst the turmoil of Rio de Janeiro's notorious Pool Hall Hill attempt to navigate the treacherous maze of adulthood after celebrating their 18th birthdays and becoming caught up in the city's endless cycle of violence in director
Paulo Morelli's companion piece to the Golden Globe-winning
drama City of God.
Laranjinha (
Darlan Cunha) and
Acerola (
Douglas Silva) may not be bound by blood, but these childhood friends are closer to one another than most brothers. While their friendship has gone a long way in helping them both to cope with the strife that surrounds them, the hard truth is that they will both have to fend for themselves now that they've entered into adulthood. For
Laranjinha, entering this stage in life means finding his long-lost father; for
Acerola it means finally taking responsibility for his growing family. Now, as
Laranjinha's cousin, quick-tempered local drug lord
Madrugadão (
Jonathan Haagensen), finds his power threatened by his former right-hand man
Nefasto (
Eduardo BR Piranha), it quickly becomes apparent that a formidable war is brewing in the poverty-stricken shantytown. The brother of
Laranjinha's girlfriend,
Camila (
Naima Silva), looks to be a key component in this battle, threatening to draw a neutral man into a deadly confrontation. Meanwhile,
Acerola's wife,
Cris (
Camila Monteiro), is threatening to move to São Paolo so that her family won't be consumed by the violence that has torn apart so many families before.
~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide