Save your money for something good and enjoyable

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

This movie narrates the true story of the rags-to-riches climb of Zezé di Camargo and Luciano. Though it was not so much a straightforward climb as a roller-coaster ride and it probably would never have happened had it not been for the single-minded determination of their father. Indeed, it is as much his story and that of their brother Emival as it is theirs.Whilst I do not know what really happened, it would appear that the movie tells the story simply and without over-elaboration. All of this, against the contrasting backdrop of the beautiful scenery, electric atmosphere and depressing slums of Brazil and the intoxicating beauty of the music, make for a very pleasant movie experience. But it is the performances of Dablio Moreira and Marcos Henrique, as Young Mirosmar/Zezé Di Camargo and his brother Emival that elevate the film to a different level. Though I somehow doubt it, I hope that these two talented young performers gained the accolades and financial rewards that their outstanding performances merited. What I do know is that, in the Young Artists Awards (2006), Dablio and Marcos jointly won the award for Best Performance in an International Feature Film - Leading Young Performer, in the face of very stiff competition.Having watched the DVD several times, I purchased a CD of the "movie soundtrack," but I was hugely disappointed! There is absolutely nothing of Dablio Moreira and Marcos Henrique to be heard and I must admit that I was far more moved by their rendition of the music than that of Zezé di Camargo and Luciano. I am nothing short of amazed that there has still been no International release of a DVD. It's a beautiful movie and anyone believing that it would have no appeal outside of its native Brazil must be crazy!

Any Brazilian who manage to get past the gigantic wall that divides the two world of Brazil - the real world and the shopping mall world - would have the opportunity to see a very nice piece of movie making. The story is extremely complex and long, and even so director Breno Silveira manages to tell it in a very clear way, with lots of details and beautiful interpretations and cinematography.One of the main points that made people overlook the movie was that they focused too much on Zezé di Camargo and Luciano. The movie is not about them, but their father, a very poor and illiterate man who simply decided that his sons would have a better life than his. Francisco's stubbornness is amazing, and his unbeatable faith should be more imitated than laughed at.An excellent movie for all ages, very entertaining and moving, and a lovely soundtrack, built mostly with old classics of Brazilian country music.

I am not a real fan of country music. But this movie is not really about it. It tells a story of a dreamer that uses all means available to make it a reality! It teaches you how important it is to believe in something! The father is a real entrepreneur. Investing in the only thing he believes is able to create a better life for his children. Even though I think the film is great I gave it a 8. That was because it could be more dramatic regarding the reality in Brazil's countryside. In particular, in the hard path to become an artist. Even harder for such poor people! Maybe with some examples of duos that failed to achieve their dream. Maybe creating a fictional character to bring drama about this subject. I am sure there are thousands of stories like that in Brazil, and putting it together would show how persistent and confident one needs to be to make it happen! To conclude, the movie is based on a true story and it should be seen as that. To like or not country music is not what will make you like or not this movie. It is a very good movie.

I really enjoyed it this movie. I saw this movie while visiting Brasil for the first time during the early parts of October 2005. Despite my limited mastery of the Portuguese language I was quickly taken in by this movie. I laughed; cried, celebrated and cried again as the movie engulfs you with its charm, scenery, music and its superb story line that flowed beautifully. Adding to its magic was the fact that I saw it with my new BRASILEAN girlfriend... Celia. It was truly an uplifting film that leaves you with a sense of hope. I highly recommend it to everyone.Javier Lizano