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Central Station on DVD (1998)

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Average rating: 75%
111119112048
3.5
from 1,555 members
 
Starring: Fernanda Montenegro, Marilia Pera, Vincius De Oliveira
Director: Walter Salles
Studio: WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time: 106 mins
Certificate: 15
User collections: Top 20 World cinema, An Anthropologist's Favourites, Foreign language favorites, Brazilian Greats, Brazilian Best, watch these
Genres: Drama
Languages: Portuguese
Released: 01/04/2004

Brief synopsis of Central Station

Fernanda Montenegro's affecting performance, nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, is the centerpiece in this acclaimed Brazilian film. In the bustling heart of Rio de Janeiro, a young boy, Josue (Vinicius De Olivera), witnesses the accidental death of his mother. When a lonely letterwriter (Montenegro) reluctantly agrees to care for the boy, they begin a journey across the countryside on which they learn valuable lessons about each other and the human spirit.

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Critics Reviews

Rating of 4 stars out of 5 Radio Times

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.

Rating of 3 stars out of 4 Halliwell's Film Guide

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.

Time Out

Dora (Montenegro) is a retired schoolteacher eking out an existence by writing letters for illiterate passers-by in... Read more on www.timeout.com

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Members Reviews

Reviews Voted Most Helpful

Rated - 5 stars

A customer from ROCHFORD , 26/09/2004

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?!

  18 out of 21 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsa real brazilan treat

sion from Warwickshire , 26/11/2003

I am becoming a real fan of Brazilian films, they don't waste their time with special FX, love stories or famous actors. They get on with the story and the stories are invariably strong.

This film is about a retired teacher that is bored with her life writing letters for illiterate people at Rio station. She teams up with an unlikley young boy and together they travel from the relative comforts of Rio to some of the poorest regions in the North East of Brazil.

Its an easy film to watch and gives an accurate insight in to the Brazilian way of life.

If you don't mind subtitles this is a great film to watch.

  13 out of 19 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 4 starsThumbs up

Tim from Norwich, UK , 16/01/2006

Very well-made, well-acted film. There are moments of tragedy and it is often very moving, but it never sinks into sentimentality.

It shows some of the same world that City of God exposed a few years later (crime, police brutality, horrible new suburbs for the poor) but without the macho aesthetic: a beautiful, gentle film.

  6 out of 8 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 5 starsA jewel from the international cinema

cessnita from London , 20/11/2003

A must see film. Extremely rich in literature. Very touching argument describing what really happens in life. A raw view from Brazil that could apply anywhere.

  6 out of 8 people found this review helpful
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Most Recent Reviews

Rated - 4 starsExcellent

A customer from Manchester , 12/12/2004

From the beg to end this film hooks you in.

It explores the relationship between and orphaned young boy and a hard lady.

Both of them have start off with a lot of negative defences but as they learn about each other and trust one another they soon soften and the maternal child and mother bond is blooming.

This movie will make you think.

Excellent.

  2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
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Rated - 3 starsDiamonds in the grit

YorkshireYank from South Yorkshire , 25/03/2004

A good night's entertainment. Great story, good filmmaking, excellent performances. And it's not just your run-of-the-mill plot either.

It's also a film that has something to say about morality and redemption, though thankfully it doesn't cram it down your throat. I like a movie that takes a stand, and does it subtly, without ever forgetting that film should be about entertainment.

If you're not afraid of subtitles and not put off by the lack of gorgeous stars, you'll be happy to see this movie.

  3 out of 4 people found this review helpful
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