Central Station

Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet and Touching!
Review: This surprisingly good Brazilian film features a power-house performance by Brazils' leading lady Fernanda Montenegro. Vinícius de Oliveira is also superb in support as Josue. Their relationship manages to avoid cliches. While still predictable it is thoroughly enjoyable. If 'Life Is Beautiful' hadn't come along it would of won the Best Foreign Film Oscar. A great character study and entertaining road-movie that is lifted further by the performance of Montenegro. From a scale of 1-10 I give this film an 8!

Rating:
Summary: Will this film make you cry?
Review: Poignant story of a lost little boy trying to find his Father at a busy Brazilian train station. Although not a perfect film, the characters portrayed give such honest performances that you do tend to overlook the implausibilties of the narrative. For example, why would a crusty and jaded old woman travel across the country for a boy she hardly knows? Still, 'Central Station' seems to be a film that plays from the heart and to it's credit, the schmaltz factor isn't over-played (at least not as much as it could have been). Fernanda Montenegro wins you over slowly as Dora while the little boy Josua (Vinícius de Oliveira) is so stubborn and determined that you can't help but want him to find his Father. Oh, plus there's gorgeous scenery, too. Just don't expect 'Central Station' to be a glossy Hollywood tear-jerker.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic new cinema
Review: This is a fantastic product of the new cinema made in Brasil. The story is touching and real. Very well Done! Fernanda Montenegro is suberb. Buy this now!

Rating:
Summary: Don't forget about the producer as well!
Review: It may not be well known in the moviegoers' world that besides the parts of main actors and director the producer is a very important person, too. In this case, as in many other gems of the movie world, Arthur Cohn from Basel/Switzerland, is the man "behind" and forcing these projects. Did you know that Arthur Cohn has received more Academy Awards (Oscars) than any other producer and has also his own star of fame on the Hollywood Blvd in Los Angeles? And besides: he is not American, he is Swiss. "Central Station" is most certainly another milestone of loveable masterpieces Mr. Cohn produced. The actors are wonderfully great. The plot looks almost like coming from an old Cassavetes movie (yes, the one with Gena Rowland and the kid running away from criminals), yet it is a Brazil road movie of its very own. It is so good to watch such movies from time to time, between all these bang bang megamillion "box office hits". Go on, Arthur!

Rating:
Summary: Hollywood could never match
Review: Hollywood could never match the power and beauty of this film from Brazil. A real storyline that turns in many different directions and leaves a very emotional impact in the end. This film is one of the very best films that I have seen in some time.

Rating:
Summary: Entertaining and thoughtful
Review: A well-made film reflecting aspects of life in Brazil that are generally not well known outside of the country. English subtitles (as with most films) are not always accurate translations of the original Portuguese but are fairly good nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: Just -the film- of the year
Review: This is CINEMA like all directors would like to do. And this is the right cast for a great production. You'll laugh and you'll cry and you'll see it again and again... One of the DVD you must have if you love cinema. The best money i spent for a film!

Rating:
Summary: Simply Extraordinary
Review: This is the kind of movie I want to see over and over again. Fernanda Montenegro acting is a knock out. The whole cast is so real and fascinating. High points to newcomer Vinicius de Oliveira - a great find, and Marilia Pera as Dora's neighbor. What a treat!!!

Rating:
Summary: This is not a Concert or Musical Video.
Review: I was browsing this category and found this excellent movie, but in the wrong category.

Rating:
Summary: Real people
Review: This movie "reads" like a novel. It is a journey that takes the viewer from the train station of Brazil, to the slums, and all the way to "Anonymous Paradise"--where houses are no different from each other.

I watched this film at a film festival here in Manila. This is an amazing piece of work. The main protagonists (Dora and Josue) are both flawed and real.

Some would probably complain that the subtitles tend to become obtrusive. However, I wouldn't want this dubbed because it might take away the value of Montenegra's performance.

Rent this, buy this--hell, steal this!!!