Linha de Passe (2008)

I haven't many comments to add, but something I really noticed in this good movie is that Walter Salles got a lot of inspiration, specially camera takes and editing, by Alejandro G. Iñarritu, not to mention the instrumental background music. The tone of Salles movies remains focused in the hope and good heart of the poorest despite deep unfairness of Brazillian society. Unfortunately, we do not watch good actor Vinicius Oliveira acting more often. The "moto boys" were admirably portrayed as well as the church followers. By the way, Corinthians, the football team supported by The Mother indeed went to 2nd. division in real life, as she worried at the beginning of the movie.

More than a movie, Linha de Passe is a study about the moral and ethical dilemmas that young people from Brazilian suburbs of big cities face on a daily life. It is a film much more rich and complex than it seems. By the apparent simplicity and fragmented structure, should not have the same impact of the Brazilian Central and the Motorcycle Diaries, Walter Salles recent productions.The Cannes Film Festival confirmed the film to grant him the Golden Palm for best actress to Sandra Corvelloni, single mother of four children, maid and resident of Sao Paulo suburbs. The family, by leaps and bounds, struggling to survive in the metropolis. The oldest is Motorcycle courier, Dinho works in a gas station, Dario wants to be a soccer player and youngest Reginaldo, in brilliant interpretation, is obsessed by her father unknown.The script, written by Daniela Thomas, Bráulio Mantovani and George Moura, gives an account of five characters who have to kill a lion a day and are faced with ethical dilemmas at every turn, choosing between them to deliver anything goes or to remain in line.

Absolutely outstanding film. A slice of sometimes gritty, sometimes funny, sometimes boring life in Sao Paolo seen through a lens. Much as I enjoyed City of God and other similar 'favela' style films, having been to Brazil I do get the impression that they sensationalise a certain lifestyle that just doesn't apply to your average city-dwelling Brazilian. Which is partly why I loved Linha de Passe - there was no gun-toting gangsters, just a single parent family struggling with the day to day Sao Paolo life. And lots of football. The main characters were magnificent - all of the sons and the mother were just so incredibly believable that you feel that they can't possibly be actors. The cinematography was beautiful - the football scenes didn't feel clichéd and the urban environments were used to stunning effect.Linha de Passe isn't something you're going to enjoy if you need a film with a parcel-wrapped storyline dressed up with a pretty ribbon on top. It just offers you an often moving glimpse of what feels like very real life in one of the most populous cities on earth.

This movie is similar to Walter Salles' "Central Station," in that it shows a part of Brazilian life that people know very little about: the poor suburbs of the big cities. This time, he looks at a family living on the outskirts of Sao Paulo and the everyday struggles they face. Salles shows what life is like for the poor in Brazil without the in your face violence from "City of God" but with the same grace and humor as Central Station. Part of the success of the film are the wonderful actors, who turned a decent script into much more. Sandra Corveloni won Best Actress for the film at Cannes, and Vinicius de Oliveira, famous for his amazing performance as a child in "Central Station," plays one of Sandra's sons. Kaique Jesus Santos plays Sandra's youngest son, who equals Vinicius' "Central Station" performance. Don't expect an action movie or love story, but do expect the chance to get a glimpse of the real Brazil.