Exclusive Review: Last Stop 174

Review by Fabio Pires

Last Stop 174 tells the story of two boys named Alessandro – and nicknamed Ale.

They are both nicknamed Ale and have a common background of brutal poverty and endemic violence of Rio de Janeiro’s slums. The two kids, enemies at first, soon become best buddies and start a short-term career in crime that ends in tragedy for one of them.

Veteran director Bruno Barreto (Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands) exposes the world of Rio’s drug trafficking in a very effective way. The story is based on true facts and the cultural authenticity of the characters feels very specific.

The subtext of Racism in Brazilian society is well explored, especially when one of our heroes – or anti-heroes – hijacks the 174 bus. Two male hostages are released: a white college student and a dark-skinned construction worker. When both hostages are approached by the police, the dark-skinned man – perceived either as Ale or Ale’s sidekick – is immediately searched while the white student is not bothered by the cops.

Last Stop 174 recalls themes from two other internationally acclaimed Brazilian films: Central Station and City of God: The mother/son relationship and the everyday life of young criminals in Rio’s slums.

Braulio Mantovani’s script is a well seasoned mix of Hollywood buddy films and Italian Neorealism with a lot of over the top drama, especially in the opening scenes when one of the boys is taken from his mother.

Last Stop 174 is like a punch in the stomach – a realistic and harsh portrait of a young lost generation ignored by the middle and upper classes and definitely abandoned by the government.