4. Knockout Ned City of God
At first glance, Mane Galinha seems like one of the most normal characters in Fernando Meirelless Favela-set drama. Well, I guess thats a relative term in a place where an appropriate punishment for a child is making them decide whether they went to be shot in the hand or in the foot, but the point stands nonetheless. Galinha or Knockout Ned as hes nicknamed in the film is seemingly one of the few nice guys in the favela, shying away from the rampant drug use and committing violent acts when absolutely necessary. Its a cardinal rule in films to never annoy the quiet guy with the martial arts qualifications, so I dont know what circle of movie hell awaits those who shoot up his house and rape his girlfriend. Yet Ze goes through with it anyway, making a mortal enemy of Ned before carrying out the coup de grace by killing his uncle. At first glance, you might look upon Ned vowing vengeance sceptically after all, the film has so far focused on just how formidable Ze is he bosses the favela with an iron fist and has been casually murdering since before puberty. What chance does a low-level enforcer with a heart like Ned have? Quite a big one actually. Immediately after his trauma, Ned hulks out, drums up some supporters, makes key favela alliances and starts beating Ze at his own game. Unlike most of the badasses on this last, this is probably the saddest transformation of all Ned was a criminal, sure, but he was a good man brought low by harsh surroundings. For all intents and purposes, hes a pretty benign hood by the City of Gods standard, but Christ, does he bring the pain when he needs to. The saddest thing is that even though he inadvertently brought down the monster that was Ze, he was killed for the one time pre-hulk-out that he went against his own rules and shot a security guard. Though he went badass for tragic reasons and it didnt work out for him, its still an impressive transformation thats worthy of mention.