Reviewers found the movie's authenticity a major draw, even if the plot felt familiar.
“Igor Regalla gives the film a heart with his disarmingly warm central performance as a young fighter from Cape Verde... But the film's claim to uncompromising realism is let down by a few cliched scenes that feel recycled.” The Guardian · 6 years ago PT-PT Gabriel Drama 2019 1h 33m 5.9
: Gabriel's quest for his father leads him to a rundown estate where he moves in with his aunt Alice. Reviewers found the movie's authenticity a major draw,
The story follows (Igor Regalla), a young man who travels from Cape Verde to Lisbon following his mother’s death to find his estranged father, Valdo, a former boxing champion. The story follows (Igor Regalla), a young man
: Bernardo draws from a "Ken Loach-style" realism, focusing on the lack of job prospects and the "uncompromising realism" of life in high-rise flats.
: With a 5.9 rating, the film's main hurdle is its reliance on predictable genre beats. However, for those seeking a raw portrait of the modern Portuguese immigrant experience , it remains a captivating and "mesmerising" piece of social drama. Gabriel review – plucky boxing story pulls its punches
: Critics from Franglais27 Tales noted that the film avoids "spoon-feeding" its audience, instead using striking images to highlight the poverty and social neglect of the elderly within these communities.