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Central Station Details

1998 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 70
  • from 6746 members

Dora is a former school teacher who makes a living by writing letters for illiterate people passing through Rio de Janeiro's main train station, Central Station. Among her clients are Ana and her nine-year-old son Josue, who has a fierce desire to meet his father, whom he has never seen. Dora has become stoically indifferent to .. Read more

Starring Fernanda Montenegro, Marilia Pera, Vincius De Oliveira
Director Walter Salles
Genres Drama

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Central Station

Dora is a former school teacher who makes a living by writing letters for illiterate people passing through Rio de Janeiro's main train station, Central Station. Among her clients are Ana and her nine-year-old son Josue, who has a fierce desire to meet his father, whom he has never seen. Dora has become stoically indifferent to her charge, choosing arbitrarily to send some letters and discard others with the help of her neighbor Irene. A sudden accident leaves Josue orphaned at the station and this is when Dora's life begins to change dramatically. Swayed by a curiously maternal compassion, Dora commits to returning Josue to his father in Brazil's remote Northeast.

Starring Fernanda Montenegro, Marilia Pera, Vincius De Oliveira
Director Walter Salles
Studio WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time DVD: 1 hr 46 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama
Language DVD: Portuguese
Released DVD: 01 Apr 2004
Production year: 1998
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (2) of Central Station

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  • 4 stars out of 5

    This captivating Brazilian road movie picked up awards all around the world, as well as a deserved Oscar nomination for 69-year-old actress Fernanda Montenegro. Initially shown as selfish and uncaring, her character's gradual softening as she accompanies a young boy (Vinicius de Oliveira) on a quest to find his dad makes for compelling viewing. Don't expect a Hollywood-style, “feel-good” movie, though — the tone is set when Montenegro cashes the kid in at an orphanage to buy a new TV. Director Walter Salles's documentary-like filming of this journey of discovery stunningly captures an unglamorous land, seen from the perspective of two travellers whose final destination is far from certain.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 3 stars out of 4

    A delight Ð a charming, but tough, study in loss and redemption, wise, witty and compassionate without losing touch with the harsher realities of life.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Central Station

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  • 24 out of 27 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Ignore previous review ' a jolly good film for the ladies' - please!! Totally irrelvant as to what sex you are in order to enjoy this film. Its beautifully filmed and completely takes you into the hustle and bustle that is Central Station. Tale of a young boy and an older, bitter woman thrown together and a 'coming of age' for them both. Highlights things we take for granted like literacy, social services etc. If you enjoy this film and havent seen Cinema Paradiso - why not?!

      • A customer from ROCHFORD
      • Posted 26 Sep 2004 18:27

  • Most recent members' review of Central Station

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  • 2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    Superb cinema

    From the director of 'The Motorcycle Diaries', this often overlooked earlier film from Walter Salles is at turns gritty, heart-warming and tear-jerking. A sensational performance from the lead actress matched by the best performance by a child actor that I have ever seen, makes this an unforgettable movie.

      • Kevan Brighting from Birmingham
      • Posted 03 Nov 2005 11:12

  • News and features

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    Linha De Passe

    Linha de Passe: Walter Salles interview

    • 09 Mar 2009

    We caught up with Brazilian director and king of the road movie, Walter Salles, to talk about his latest film Linha de Passe, which tells the story of four fatherless brothers from a poor neighbourhood in Sao Paolo – a city of 20 million inhabitants – who’s only options for improving their lives are crime, religion or professional football. Or failing that, they could become one of the city’s 300,000 motorcycle couriers. Linha de Passe forms part of a larger co-directing Read more

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Rating breakdown

6,746 Member ratings
  • 100
876
  • 90
836
  • 80
1,690
  • 70
1,282
  • 60
932
  • 50
486
  • 40
242
  • 30
167
  • 20
158
  • 10
77

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      • Dora is a former school teacher who makes a living by writing letters for illiterate people passing through Rio de Janeiro's main train station, Central Station. Among her clients are Ana and her ...