Linha de Passe

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.

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.

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 a striking portrait of Brazilian lower class which focuses on a poor family's story. Avoiding an agitative langue, it presents sanctuaries and small gates of hope of poor people like religion or football.

This is a sorrowfull lesson for those who are only aware of funny dancers in Rio festivals and of famous football teams in Brazil.

Absolutely should be seen, especially by the ones loving "Mondays in the Sun" by Aronoa, "City of God" by Meirelles or "Amores Perros" by Inàrritu.

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.