"O Caminho das Nuvens"(American title: "The Middle of the World") tells the true story of a man who leads his itinerant family across Brazil on bicycles. Romao(Wagner Moura) is that man, a seemingly good man who doesn't drink(by default, perhaps; he can't afford any alcohol), or beat his wife and kids. Unfortunately for his wife, Romao is not a smart man. The world that passes by their two wheels looks yellow, dead, without promise. Rose(Claudia Abreu) is a saint whose husband needs a slap in the face. His dogged persistence that he won't settle for a job that pays less than a thousand reals makes him sound like the Rainman. While he promises Rose a better life in Rio de Janerio, Rose and his family make ends meet by performing traditional songs for tourists, and whatever odd jobs or crimes that turn up during their travels. It's okay for his family to demean themselves, but when Romao has the opportunity to contribute, pride takes precedence over his obligation to provide leadership and sustenance for the people who carry his surname.Growing pains is a trying time for an adolescent boy, even if he resides in a nice home with enough food on the table. Now consider poor Antonio(Ravi Ramos Lacerda) who goes through puberty on location. His raging hormones, raging in the brush, the tumbleweeds, the whole outback entire. When Antonio falls in love with a mermaid(a girl who poses for pictures in a club), he announces his decision to leave the two-wheel caravan. Romao doesn't discourage him because it's one less mouth to feed. After the beautiful girl in the mermaid costume rejects him for the older and wealthier club owner, we think about his mother, who married out of love instead of money. There should be a scene in which this beautiful woman second-guesses herself. A cross-country journey is exhausting, but the family in "Caminho das Nuvens" seem remarkably fresh. They must be part-camel because the heat doesn't prevent them from sharing an occasional off-the-cuff moment while they stave off hunger and dehydration. Remarkably, prostitution, or some desperate means of earning money is never broached between father and mother. Considering the distance they cover, the parents and kids just aren't dirty enough, or angry enough, at their dire situation, or at each other.

this is another best foreign film to see. the cinematography, the acting, the characters, the thematic story lines, the issues it raised, all were splendidly portrayed. i was completely captivated throughout the film and highly recommend people to see it. it's been a while that i have seen a great movie that touches upon real issues as poverty, family, manhood, and love, all in one movie that suits all generation of audiences. there are important lessons to be learn from it, and to follow path. there is not anything to complain about this film. this is one that i like to own and past along to my children to see. thank you, the director for creating this splendidly inspiring film. Bravo to everyone involved. - Thnam Kanha Net

I've lived in Northeast Brazil, where this movie is set. Viewers get a realistic picture of small-town life, including devotion to Padre Cicero, a priest who died in 1934, in Juazeiro do Norte, Ceara. It shows the importance of the music of Roberto Carlos, the romantic singer who is Brazil's highest-selling recording artist, in the characters' lives. I've known people who have made similar journeys, and seen their devotion to their children and their struggle to preserve their dignity, just like the characters in this movie.It's more low-key than ""Bye Bye Brasil," "Central Station," "O Auto da Compadecida," and "Eu, Tu, Eles" (Me, You, Them). It's most similar in tone to "Central Station."

Rarely does one have the opportunity to see such a unique, honest and beautiful movie, specially when it comes to dealing with such difficult issues such as poverty, a family's struggle to stick together and overcome all sorts of misadventures. This is a beautifully shot road movie on bicycles - based on a true story - that can be compared to The Bicycle Theif, and another Brazilian master piece by Nelson Pereira dos Santos: Vidas Secas (Barren Lives, is the English title) (based on a novel). Everyone should get to see this movie.