The rags to riches tale of three slumdog children in Brazil is no kid’s flick, but rather an exciting, well-paced adult thriller based on a book by Andy Mulligan.
Etching out a living by scouring rubbish dumps for anything of value, two 14 year old friends, Rafael (Rickson Tevez) and Gardo (Luis Eduardo), discover a wallet full of money and trouble. When the police arrive looking for the discarded wallet, the boys become entangled in a web of corruption in which even the authorities cannot be trusted.
With the aid of another homeless youth and two American missionaries (Martin Sheen and Rooney Mara), they set out to find millions in bribe money that has gone missing and to end the corruption around them.
Co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Christian Duurvoort, the title Trash refers to both the occupation of the slum dwellers, and the way they are treated by the law. Far from a childlike adventure story, this dramatic and oft-violent thriller boasts a stellar cast, even the juvenile leads put in a performance as intense and believable as the more seasoned adults on screen.
Spoken in both Portuguese and English, the film demands your attention, not just for the subtitles. There’s many a brisk scene and a lot of reveals along the way, making for a cracking tale that nonetheless remains firmly planted in realms of reality. The progressive unravelling of clues and the bonding of the boys’ friendship all adds to the charm, excitement and mystery.
The beautifully realised characters and relationships are easy to connect with and the upbeat spirit of the boys, in particular, ensures the audience gets emotionally invested in their fate. Despite the dark nature of their adventure, it’s ultimately also a story of hope and determination amongst the squalor of their favela.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 10: 8
Trash will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on 9 July 2015.
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