City Of Men – The Complete Series
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Episodes: B-
If you
want truth, life, and pure sense realism forget all other reality television
and prepare yourself for City of Men. Television series like Survivor, Big Brother,
or the Surreal Life don’t stand up
half as well against the innovative, Brazilian television series City of Men. City
of Men is dark, gritty, and real; this being an impressive statement to
make seeing as how this is not reality TV but a scripted series. On this heart wrenching series we delve into
the dramatic lives of two teenage boys learning to be themselves in a world
that keeps them down, in the slums of the hazardous Rio de Janeiro. Throughout series we see two boys (Darlan
Cunha and Douglas Silva) grow up as they jump through the array of flaming
hoops and hurdles that life throws at them.
Together these boys learn about life and what it is to live. Guns, violence, bullies, and drugs run
rampant throughout these boys’ lives, not being something that just happens,
but rather a part of daily life that is unavoidable.
Throughout
the 19 episodes of this intriguing series we see the boys going through many
changes of life, experiencing violence, death, a quest for family, a quest for
money, a quest for sex, and all of the consequences that follow these
quests. Life is a huge quest for these
young boys; having been cast by society into the roles of men before their
time. The show is a dose of hard reality
about a 3rd world country, but concurrently humor runs alongside the
deep emotion of the series. The humor,
where often dark, manages to lighten the mood even in the hardest of
situations. Overall the series is quite
excellent and a great change from the all too “not real” reality television
that has plagued our minds for the past 16 years.
The
writers and directors of this series entwine many other elements to compliment
the presented events of these young boys.
Ethnic music and dance run throughout, in some unexpected situations but
lend to the feel and atmosphere of the series.
Also the camera work of the series is also interesting, on many
occasions being obvious that hand cameras were utilized to give a realistic
feel. On the whole, the effective
writing with these other elements infused only propels the series to greatness.
The DVD’s
technicals are not outstanding but remain effective for the needs of the
series. The picture is presented in a
full frame format that detracts from the cinematic feel that is trying to be
portrayed. The series, to many extents,
is meant to be dark and gritty but it is apparent at times the coloring is to
dark or bright beyond the intended nature of the series. The sound is adequate in its Dolby Digital 2.0
Stereo format but often the sound gets louder and lighter unexpectedly. The extras are poor, being nonexistent with
the exception of a few previews. This
reviewer hopes that the series becomes available in a cleaner Widescreen HD
format.
City of Men like the film it is based on (City of God) is a groundbreaking series
that is sure to stun and entertain all.
The one issue remains is that the series is in fact presented in
Portuguese with English subtitles and moves at a fast paced; making it
difficult to even turn one’s head momentarily.
Overall, the subtitles don’t remain a problem after the series has
caught your interest. The series is
excellent and interesting. So for
viewers out there wanting a dose of another culture that is truly foreign to us
as Americans, City of Men is sure to
please on many levels.
- Michael P. Dougherty II
