Linha de Passe (2008)

A story about four brothers from a poor family who need to fight to follow their dreams.

Directors:

Walter Salles, Daniela Thomas

Writers:

George Moura (screenplay), Daniela Thomas (screenplay)

Stars:

Sandra Corveloni, João Baldasserini, Vinícius de Oliveira

22 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sandra Corveloni	...	Cleuza
João Baldasserini	...	Dênis
Vinícius de Oliveira	...	Dario
Geraldo Rodrigues	...	Dinho (as José Geraldo Rodrigues)
Kaique Jesus Santos	...	Reginaldo
Roberto Audi	...	Pastor
Denise Weinberg	...	Estela
Ana Luiza Garritano	...	Bianca
Sérgio Mastropasqua	...	Jefferson
Renata Novaes	...	Glória
Mário César Camargo	...	Genaro
Gabriela Rabello	...	Dona Rosa
Rafael Losso	...	Bruno
Almir Barros	...	Japa
Luis Serra	...	Coach Tiradentes (as Luiz Serra)

Storyline

In the periphery of São Paulo, the pregnant single mother Cleuza works as maid in the apartment of a middle-class family. Each of her sons has a different unknown father: the oldest, Dênis, has a baby son that lives with his mother and he works as motorcycle courier; Dinho is a converted Christian and works as attendant in a gas station; Dario is an aspirant soccer player that is getting older without the expected chance in a team; and the youngest, Reginaldo, is obsessed about finding his father who works as a bus driver, and spends most of his spare time traveling by bus. Along the months, each brother experiences new deceptions and expectations while the family fights to survive.

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Plot Keywords:

bus | motorcycle | soccer player | bus driver | soccer | 

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Genres:

Drama | Sport

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [France]

Country:

Brazil

Language:

Portuguese

Release Date:

5 September 2008 (Brazil)

Also Known As:

Beyta la'hayim

Filming Locations:

Cidade Líder, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

BRL 368,787 (Brazil), 7 September 2008, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Media Rights Capital (MRC), Pathé Pictures International, Videofilmes Produçoes Artisticas Ltda.

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Film debut of Sandra Corveloni.

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Soundtracks

Juízo Final
Written by Nelson Cavaquinho & Guilherme de Brito
Performed by Seu Jorge

User Reviews

A slice of Brazilian life

Set in São Paulo, Brazil's largest city, this film follows the lives of one family. This family consists of single mother Cleuza, who works as a cleaner for a middle class family, and her four sons, by different fathers; Dario, who dreams of making it as a football star; Dênis, who works as a motorcycle courier; Dinho, a born again Christian who works and a local petrol station and helps at the church he attends; and Reginaldo, who travels around on the city's buses hoping to find his father. There is no plot as such; we just observe each of them as they live their daily lives and try to achieve their personal goals.

As I started watching this I knew nothing about the film so had no real idea of what to expect. Early on I was waiting for 'something to happen' but not much does till quite near the end and even then most of the questions raised aren't answered. That might frustrate some viewers but I gradually felt myself drawn into the characters' lives. Directors Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas do a fine job keeping everything very real... for example a motorbike pursuit through the city's busy streets feels more real, and thus more dangerous, than more extreme chases featuring obvious stunts and set-pieces. The cast are equally impressive so it feels as though we are watching their lives not watching people act. Overall I'd say this won't be for everybody but if you want a solid character lead film this is well worth checking out.

These comments are based on watching the film in Portuguese with English subtitles.