An innocent man tosses a pocketbook containing a very important clue to the crime over the railing and into a passing garbage truck for a trio of adolescent dump-dwellers to find. When the mob comes looking for the mystery wallet, the kids are noticeable in their absence. Thus begins a silly, albeit it crowd-pleasing treasure hunt using Rio De Janeiro as its backlot. After Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close I thought it impossible to ever again sit through let alone find favor with a Stephen Daldry picture. (Acting coach Christian Duurvoort receives co-director credit.) There are name stars to add international spice to the program – Martin Sheen pops up as a drunken priest along with Rooney Mara as the white American missionary in cahoots with the urchins – but it’s Nelson Xavier as the imprisoned “grandfather” of one of the boys who outacts the pack. Forget about the social issues – the filmmakers certainly have – and sit back and enjoy this improvement on Slumdog Millionaire. (2014) — Scott Marks
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