Critic Reviews

• Tom Keogh, Seattle Times

  Everything feels obvious and by-the-numbers, as if director and co-writer Sérgio Machado was constrained by archetypes and narrative tradition.

• Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle

  With a distinct lack of action, Machado resorts to far too many close-ups of his stars until, as good-looking as they are, you tire of looking at them.

• Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

  A steamy love triangle that may earn our attention primarily on prurient interest, but ends up being honestly involving.

• Michael Hardy, Boston Globe

  Everyone involved in the film seems better than the material.

• Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

  Strong performances by the three leads ... help to make up for the story's sliver of a plot.

• Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune

  Tells a familiar story with an emotional intensity and a high eroticism that makes a lacerating impact.

• Kam Williams, University City Review

  A gritty, Brazilian drama which called for Alice Braga to be naked and in heat nearly non-stop, whether in a bed with a boyfriend or one of her assortedy Johns.

• Doris Toumarkine, Film Journal International

  The meager plot is no more than a clothesline upon which to hang some heated sex scenes and ugly violence.

• Urban Cinefile Critics, Urban Cinefile

  There are sections of the screenplay that lead nowhere and I also find the ending makes the film rather incomplete. Yet it's a gripping work, and a powerful journey while it lasts.

• , Sight and Sound

  A likeable and accomplished addition to the Latin American new wave.

• Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)

  For stretches it's enough to enjoy the grungy but gorgeous locations, the soulful performances of the three leads and the frequent, ravenous sex scenes. OK, for long stretches it's enough.

• Chris Barsanti, Filmcritic.com

  not quite enough to make this the explosive debut he no doubt was wishing for.

• Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com

  Yes, it can be hard having a girlfriend who's a hooker.

• Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle

  The toastiest summer on record is but an intermittently flickering 40-watt bulb when held up to the positively incendiary sexual firestorm that is Brazilian import Lower City.

• Jack Garner, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

  The setting is far more enticing than the story. Sometimes, that's enough.

• Marc Mohan, Oregonian

  Three potent performances readily compensate for the familiar plot.

• Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com

  A steamy lust triangle that would be better if you didn't get the feeling that the guys were competing (kinda like in the cockfight) and Karinna is just the prize that goes to the victor.

• Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

  Brazilian director Sergio Machado once worked as an assistant to Walter Salles, but fortunately, his new film as director, Lower City is alive in ways that Salles could not conceive.

Read all 18 critic reviews