If you’re looking for a film to watch that rivals The Godfather, look no further than this 2003 “must watch”. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has racked up an impressive rating of 91%.
Critics generally agree the film is shocking and disturbing but always compelling. CBR has named this film as one of the best heirs to The Godfather – a film which has become iconic over the years. One person on Rotten Tomatoes said: “City of God is a brutal, heartbreaking, and fascinating portrait of a place where life is cheap, yet it leaves you with a profound respect for human resilience.”
City of God follows a young man, Rocket, looking for a way out of a slum in Rio de Janeiro.
The film starts off all the way back to when small-time thieves worked their way up from petty theft to bigger crimes like drug dealing.
Drug dealer Li’l Zé takes over as a ruthless gangster, quickly becoming a drug lord.
City of God builds into an all-out-war between opposing gangs, with Rocket there to capture every moment with his camera.
CBR says: “The gangster film is portrays the complicated side of poverty’s influence on crime and the influence of power over those who seek it.”
One person who watched the film said on Letterboxd: “This was one of the most captivating movies I’ve ever seen.
“I was immediately absorbed into this story and I couldn’t look away even when faced with the brutality and violence in this story.
“I like that unlike most of the other gangster or mob stories I’ve seen, this one never feels glamorous or inviting. It is grim and dirty and deeply sad.
“I really like the choice of the narrator because seeing this story through the eyes of a spectator gave us a sort of aerial view of everyone instead of being pulled into one side. Brilliant film, I loved it.”
Indigo Music say the film is a “must-watch”, if you’re hoping to watch this film, you can stream it on Prime Video.