O Homem do Ano

After City of God, any Brazilian film will get a good reception. This movie has now been released as "Man of the Year" in UK cinemas.

The low key start, where we see an angry kid shooting a man we later find out is detested in the community, gives way to escalating situations which owe quite a bit to Scarface. Like many similar films, a lot of time is spent looking at the consequences of immoral behaviour - not attempting explanation. The film walks the now familiar fine line between entertainment and moral relataivism quite successfully, mainly because the characters stay undiminished throughout.

The performances between the principles is really good. But it is the way the film starts rooted in a halting reality that makes it so watchable. Watching our protagonist brooding in his small flat with the girlfriend of his first victim, and a small piglet - neither of which he has control over - is what films are all about.