Central do Brasil (Central Station)

When I picked up the DVD of this movie from the surbiton Library, I thought I knew what to expect. A boy deprived of his mother and helped by a nice old lady. I was in for a small shock.

Dora is a retired primary teacher working in Central station in Rio helping the illiterate to write letters, thereby earning her living. She stays alone in her flat and her only friend is Irene, another middle aged lady staying nearby.

So, what do you expect Dora to do with he clients letters?. post them ?. What do you expect Dora to do when she finds a young boy Josue, who loses his mother in an accident?. Help him to find his father?. what do you expect her to do when Josue tells her that he has stolen some food as he is hungry?.

It indeed is a the played-out-many-times story of redemption or finding ones heart, but what makes it interesting is the honesty which comes through and the portrayal of humans like most of us, neither saint, nor satan.

I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a nice little movie about relations.