It's the Dead End Hill slums in Rio de Janeiro. Best friends Acerola and Laranjinha are turning 18 growing up without fathers. Orphan Acerola helps Laranjinha discover his father in prison who is on the verge of being paroled. Acerola's wife leaves him with his son Clayton. Then babysitter Cris leaves and he is angry to do the work of a mother. Meanwhile the gangs are ramping up the conflicts and betrayal as the hills descend into all out war.
I don't see the characters that compelling. None of them intrigue me. I don't really care about them. This is often compared to "City of God" due to some of the same actors. While it takes place in the same slums, the tension feels manufactured. It's got more action but it doesn't have the same grittiness. Something seems to be sanitized or beautified. It's great to return to these places but it's not quite the same.
I don't see the characters that compelling. None of them intrigue me. I don't really care about them. This is often compared to "City of God" due to some of the same actors. While it takes place in the same slums, the tension feels manufactured. It's got more action but it doesn't have the same grittiness. Something seems to be sanitized or beautified. It's great to return to these places but it's not quite the same.