Customer Reviews

Once Upon a Time in Rio

5 star:		(4)
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Being Brazilian, and seeing no review of this movie, I felt compelled to write a few words recommending it. Excellent film about an impossible love between a poor boy and a rich girl (an inverted Sabrina-like story, if you like) with a not-so-happy ending, much like a modern Shakespearean drama set in a Third-World stage. Though predictable, the script is a very good. Good acting, fast action, very good photography. Not so impacting like the document-stylish City of God, and certainly not so chocking. But the film portraits very realistic situations and reflect the true preconceptions, the parallel universes, and the divide between social classes in Brazil and specifically in Rio de Janeiro. A perfect tale about the downward spiraling effect of poverty: once you are poor, all your universe drags you even further down with very little chances of getting hold of a life-saver. This film is a good heir to Latin American reality cinema. I strongly recommend it.

I've watched this movie yesterday and, as a Brazilian, I am proud of it. "Once Upon a Time in Rio" became one of my favorite movies ever. The plot is about a love story, but the boy lives at a slum (Cantagalo) and the girl, at the most expensive neighborhood of Rio (Ipanema). He had a very sad life in his childhood, facing the problems of drug wars around the corner. Although being a hard-working guy, nobody looks at him just as a human being, but as someone who lives in a 'favela'. One important point in the movie: all you see could really happen - unfortunately. The most interesting fact is the main actor, Thiago Martins, was born at Vidigal (a favela) and, although he became famous, he still lives there. Asked why he didn't move, he replied: "I thought of buying a house out of Vidigal to my mother, but I gave up. If I lived at Barra da Tijuca, nobody would ask me if I would move. I'm in peace. My background is there". According to the actor, there is another benefit of living at Vidigal. "I have the most beautiful landscape from Rio and people there cheer on me. Living in a slum makes me enjoy life. I am doing my best to succeed in my career and I am happy to show everybody that our community has its values". This is a very sensitive story. I do recommend.

I thought this movie was amazing. It is def a must see for everyone! Drama, romance and action all in one!

Happened to come across this one night on pay-per-view. Great story and absolutely excellent cast. The acting was excellent. You forget they are actors and are intently drawn into the characters. Love the setting in Brazil.