Joshua White’s review published on Letterboxd:
City of God is a miracle of filmmaking. Everything comes together perfectly in this film, which tells the story of two young men at a crossroads in their lives. There is no wasted breath in this film, no unneeded sub-plot, everything is here for a reason. Fernando Meirelles’s direction is quick and abrupt, constantly scanning the area. His direction does take inspiration from American cinema, but there’s no plagiarism here, this film is in its own league. The actors, mostly unknown, all serve their purpose. Especially the two leads, Alexandre Rodriquez and Leandro Firmino, who are both exceptional. This is a special film, one that needs to be seen. Highly recommended to those trying to get into non-American cinema.
