santiagocosme I was recommended this movie on several occasions by some of my Brazilian friends, and was never able to find the time to watch it. I always prioritized other movies. Still, in the back of my mind, I really wanted to watch it. I finally did, and man I was disappointed. I was expecting something as gripping as City of God, as entertaining as Tropa de Elite, but no. Trash was definitely a lot worse than these two movies. I don't think there ever was enough tension in the movie and the characters felt a little amusing sometimes. At least that's my opinion. Not every movie can be a masterpiece, so I guess I'll judge this one as just another decent movie coming from Brazil, with the typical Favela kids vs Underworld Bosses + corrupt police. Decent. That's it.

Lee Eisenberg The common images of Brazil are soccer/football, Carnaval, the Amazon rainforest, the beaches, and Christ the Redeemer. A less flattering image of Latin America's largest country is the favelas, tightly packed ghettos full of people ignored by society. Stephen Daldry's "Trash" looks at some teenage inhabitants of the favelas who are digging through garbage one day when they find a wallet that could upset local politics. Not surprisingly, they become targets of a merciless police force.This is what one might call the real Brazil. Much like Fernando Meirelles's "City of God", "Trash" shows what life is like for a large portion of Brazil's population. When the boys cross into the downtown, one can see a sharp contrast between this part of town and the slums where the boys live. One of Lula's goals was eliminating hunger, but he and Rousseff weakened their legacies by demolishing favelas to make room for sports stadiums (and it's all but certain that the Olympic stadium will never get used after the games next year).This is a different turn for Daldry after his past few movies. Although "Billy Elliott" also dealt with class issues, "The Hours" focused more on gender issues (I haven't seen "The Reader" or "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"). I'd say that Martin Sheen's long-time political activism makes him the right person for the role of the priest servicing the favela. All in all, it's a really good movie. I recommend it.

ashwinikapoor81 A much much recommended movie for every movie lover out there ! This movie shows up all the emotions, the inner willpower and the determination that one can have and make sure that extra effort does not go in vain.This movie has been brilliantly directed by Stephen Daldry, and the 3 main character's of the movie, the three young kids.. Wow.. what an acting. The story starts with the same stuff about Brazil, the undermining situation of the people there, kids living a low life, and the sudden change in the story, make it worth watching.All the 3 kids Raphael, Rato and Gardo, they would keep you so much into the excitement, the adrenaline rush, the curiosity you would have of what is gonna happen next !From start to the end, this movie is gonna make you stick to your seats ! A much much highly recommended movie for all !

Andrej Strakl I never thought that garbage can be so beautiful. Indeed, in this film it is. Stephen Daldry successful squeezes an incredible set design, visualization is absolutely fantastic. From the favelas of Brazil, to the beautiful landscapes, it all looks just stunning. The thing I like is also editing, the sequences are fast and dynamic and it is just right on. If we look at the movie more closely, we can see a close relationship between the boys, playfulness of the youth, hope in a brutal world. It is dominated by the playful dynamics among them, how they learn about the world through adolescence. Although the government is corrupt, and the police puts misery and poverty beneath the low, there is hope and the will to live. Mara and Sheen are acting as missionaries who help these children, living from the garbage, to a better future. Not bad acting, but the characters... Sheen as a priest, Mara as a assistant, it seems somewhat they are missing all the action. The best I can describe, sometimes I had the feeling watching them behind a bottle of glass. I must mention the script and story is short in depth and is weary predictable, not to mention the contradictory. But nonetheless it is a well made move, worth watching, and I give it a go.