Cidade Louca

Great! Truly made an impact! Milo Ventimiglia is exceptional!

You know what, some people like broccoli and some people don't. Maybe your parents forced you to eat raw broccoli as a kid and now you can't stand to look at. The thing is, I don't know your story and you don't know mine. I am an artist and get extremely irritated with Pollack paintings. But, that's almost sinful to say in the art world. Point: some people may see this movie as a dramatic feature with a lot of scenarios that just don't happen in real life. Like the cops scene at the end......really unlikely, right? But, art is art......and art affects people in different ways for different reasons. It's meant to make an impact....and that doesn't always mean that it has to seem completely believable. What fictional drama really is? If you want the truth, stick with still-life paintings and documentaries. If you want something that makes you feel all sorts of emotions, then go look at Frida Kahlo's work and watch this movie.

Some reviews mock the "family-like" relationship at the restaurant. Like, how could any six people really be that close and love each other that much when they are technically just employees and employers? Maybe it is contrived, but do you know why I found that part of this movie, this painting....beautiful? Because it's something I've always wanted. It's a dream of mine to have a loving mother and friends by your side like brothers and sisters and everyone works great together and takes care of each other. I find that beautiful because I DESIRE it within myself.

Maybe you don't understand the sister. Maybe she's too intense and crazy and her character makes no sense. Maybe you've never been abused or raped or beaten. Because if you haven't? You wouldn't understand the insanity that can lie asleep beneath your deepest darkest secrets that you mask over with polite howdy-do's and do nots. Again, her character seemed unbelievable and melodramatic, but I felt her pain because part of her rage and anger is within me because of my own life drama. So to me? I found it compelling.

Maybe the main character Denny seemed too robotic and not very convincing from an emotional standpoint. But for me? I know what it's like to be buried under years of trauma and unable to be myself and to constantly have everyone at arms length and push and push and push with all my might so that I may not be hurt again.

This movie will impact you if it's meant to, just like a Jackson Pollack painting. Maybe you are more of a Monet or Dali or Kahlo fan. And, why do you connect to those works more than other artists? What in your life made you love the things you love? What made you hate the things you hate?

To call this film a contrived drama with no point only tells me that maybe you haven't had the life experiences to appreciate this film. Or maybe it's just not for your heart to connect to. And, that's okay.

I mean, I think The Sound Of Music and Titanic and so many of these so well-loved classics are hokey and boring. Maybe I got burnt too young too fast and I prefer dramatic and heavy art that taps at my very own piano strings, such as this film. And this film? It was a beautiful piece of art that I will never be able to touch, but can find its meaning to be powerful all the same.

To each their own.

Most of the places I've worked were small with bosses who treated me just like part of their family, perhaps more so than my own, so I could relate to that aspect of this story. Therefore I disagree with those who felt it wasn't realistic (and who cares if it weren't anyway, it's a story !)

I just felt like the timing was way off for everything. Several of the leads acted their parts expertly, but much of the rest of the cast was mediocre. Three weeks isn't long enough to get to know anyone to be treating them like long lost children I think. And I don't want to spoil the ending, so all I will say about that is the cops were some of the worst actors I've ever seen.

This movie has a very powerful story and themes. It goes deep into the human mind and finds how relationships work. The characters are likable and interesting with more to them than what appears on the surface. It is paced very well and is very impressive.

The only issues I have is the score is severely lacking in identity and doesn't feel organic and the ending, while has some very powerful moments, leaves some plot lines unfinished. I would recommend this to nearly anyone, the story (even if you can't find it too relatable) has a lot of things to say about love, family, and your past.

I have not seen a movie this good in years. It was produced with a very small budget, according to the director and producers, but has the look and feel of a large studio release. The movie is well cast, the acting is excellent. The story is well structured and the characters are believable and engaging. Everything is well put together from the editing to the soundtrack. Not for youngsters for sure, and even if you think you know where the story is going, you will be in for a surprise here and there. No car chase scenes with vehicles flying over gorges, no over-the-top pyrotechnics, no super heroes with magic powers...just a good story, well told. I encourage you to see this film when it is playing near you, or ask your local independent theater to inquire about showing it at their venue.