Bus 174 (2002) review

Probing look at the hijacking of a bus in Rio de Janeiro by one of society's rejected members, a young man who saw his mother get murdered and was forced to live on the streets. Drama is sacrificed for a 'bigger picture' - an examination of Brazil's sociological problems - as well as an all-too-elaborate look at the man's childhood, imprisonment and mounting sense of desperation. Most surprising is the indictment of Rio's horribly inept and cowardly police force, and their inability to handle the hijacking professionally. It's commendable in that it actually gives you a chance to sympathize with the hijacker; the interview footage of his captives adds insight into what was going place inside the bus and how they were told to 'pretend' to be horrified (even while he yells at the bystanders that "This is not an action movie").