CHICAGO – The plight of the people in the hard-hitting Brazilian film “City of Men” is akin with its plight to make you aware it even exists. This can be said about many great films that’ll touch you and leave you better than you were before despite not having the luxury of omnipresent advertising.

For those of us fortunate enough to read this review or learn about “City of Men” in another way, you’d appreciate first soaking up its extraordinary evolution.

The subtitled film, which opens in markets including Chicago on Friday, centers on the lives of best friends Acerola (Douglas Silva) and Laranjinha (Darlan Cunha) just before turning 18. They celebrate their birthdays not just because it’s another birthday but because it’s another year they’ve survived their hostile, gun-laden lives.

“City of Men”. Photo credit: IMDb