Set in the favelas overlooking downtown Rio, this hardy tale of two friends going through a rite of passage is admirable in allowing us a glimpse of the harsh realities of life in the slums.
These failed communities, consisting of poverty, broken families and criminal gangs, are self perpetuating and our two lads (Ace and Wallace) have to make a choice between submitting to the favelan way of life or leaving.
Absent male role models is the main theme of this film and it delivers this strong message over in a thoroughly engaging way.
My only gripe was the difficulty in understanding who was who, which doesn't become apparent until at least half way through the film.
Other than that it shines.