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Central Station

Play trailer Poster for Central Station Released Nov 20, 1998 1h 50m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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94% Tomatometer 51 Reviews 95% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Bitter former schoolteacher Dora (Fernanda Montenegro) supports herself by taking dictation from illiterate people in Rio de Janeiro who want to write letters to their families and then pocketing their money without ever mailing the envelopes. One day, Josue (Marília Pêra), the 9-year-old son of one of her clients, is left alone when his mother is killed in a bus accident. Reluctantly taking him in, Dora joins the boy on a road trip to find his long-missing father.

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Central Station

Central Station

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Critics Consensus

Director Salles transcends road-movie clichés and crafts a film that is as moving as it is universal.

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Critics Reviews

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Peter Bradshaw Guardian n ingenious, if glib, final twist gives the tale its solidity, though you can taste some processed sugar in the mix. Rated: 4/5 Aug 13, 2025 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times As beautiful as it is wrenching. Rated: 4.5/5 Feb 14, 2001 Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine [Salles'] imagery, like his storytelling, is clear, often unaffectedly lovely, and quietly, powerfully haunting. Rated: 4.5/5 Jan 1, 2000 Full Review Aaron Homem PopMatters Central Station highlights the masses’ resilience while romanticizing their economic condition and environment. Jan 27, 2023 Full Review Phoebe Flowers Miami Herald A masterpiece of sincere emotion. Rated: 3.5/4 Jan 5, 2023 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com What separates and elevates Walter Salles' film above the familiar neo-realist type of melodrama is the stylized visual style and Fernanda Montengero's stunning performance. Rated: B+ Aug 9, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Artur A Ainda tentando assimilar as coisas. Esse filme é perfeito. Fernanda, como sempre, GRANDONA. Os personagens são maravilhosos, a direção, fotografia… não estou bem com o final desse filme e nunca vou superar o final dele, NUNCA. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/10/25 Full Review Bryan A Este filme foi uma obra de arte. A atuação da atriz principal foi de primeira, a química entre ela e o garoto foi incrível. O final me quebrou, pois nunca consegui ver o final feliz que queria, mas acho que é isso que torna o filme tão especial, pois mostra que nem sempre há um final feliz na vida. Ótimo filme, realmente deprimente. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/27/25 Full Review Riquelmy W Central do Brasil encanta pela sensibilidade com que mostra o Brasil real. A direção de Walter Salles e a fotografia de Walter Carvalho criam uma atmosfera introspectiva, envolvendo o espectador na jornada de Dora e Josué. A conexão emocional é construída sem artifícios: cada cena comovente surge de forma orgânica, tornando o drama ainda mais impactante. A dinâmica entre Fernanda Montenegro e Vinícius de Oliveira é o coração do filme. A química deles traz autenticidade ao relacionamento improvável, e os momentos sutis de humor acabam reforçando a humanidade dos personagens sem desviar do tom sério. Apesar de ter sido lançado há décadas, o filme se mantém atual graças ao retrato honesto das dificuldades sociais e à abordagem atemporal das relações humanas. É uma obra que toca tanto quem viu na época quanto gerações novas. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/19/25 Full Review Tani B One of the best films I've seen in years. Deeply moving, incredible acting and leaves you wondering what happened to everyone. Maybe because I saw it shortly after my mum passed away, but I cried like a baby in certain scenes. I fell in love with the people and it almost felt like a documentary so realistic. Just loved it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/05/25 Full Review Paula L An extraordinary film, rich in storytelling and emotion. Fernanda Montenegro delivers a tour de force in acting—her sincerity is stunning, making every moment feel raw and real. The emotions this film evokes are unmatched, drawing the audience into a deeply human journey. Central Station offers a respectful and poignant portrayal of the struggles, hopes, and searches of the Brazilian people, capturing their resilience with profound sensitivity. A truly unforgettable film. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/15/25 Full Review Anilorak I If you like cinema, this film is a must. Today, I must have seen Central Station more than thirty times. I have never thought it was bad. Perhaps this film was my first encounter with the reality of my country, or part of it. As well as the reality of the various personalities that exist during our journeys. Well, I remember watching it once and getting really angry with the character Dora, played by Fernanda Montenegro, because I wanted to receive all the affection and love that she seemed to hold back from me and the boy. In the end, I feel very similar to this character and the story has a sensitivity that deserves history. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/09/25 Full Review Read all reviews
Central Station

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Movie Info

Synopsis Bitter former schoolteacher Dora (Fernanda Montenegro) supports herself by taking dictation from illiterate people in Rio de Janeiro who want to write letters to their families and then pocketing their money without ever mailing the envelopes. One day, Josue (Marília Pêra), the 9-year-old son of one of her clients, is left alone when his mother is killed in a bus accident. Reluctantly taking him in, Dora joins the boy on a road trip to find his long-missing father.
Director
Walter Salles
Producer
Walter Salles, Martine de Clermont-Tonnerre, Robert Redford, Arthur Cohn
Screenwriter
Walter Salles, Marcos Bernstein, João Emanuel Carneiro
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Europa Filmes, Buena Vista International, Canal+, VideoFilmes, MACT Productions, RioFilme
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Brazilian Portuguese
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 20, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 23, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA)
$6.2M
Runtime
1h 50m
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