Peter Bradshaw Guardian Aug 13, 2025 4/5

n ingenious, if glib, final twist gives the tale its solidity, though you can taste some processed sugar in the mix.

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Aaron Homem PopMatters Jan 27, 2023

Central Station highlights the masses’ resilience while romanticizing their economic condition and environment.

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Phoebe Flowers Miami Herald Jan 5, 2023 3.5/4

A masterpiece of sincere emotion.

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Aug 9, 2010 B+

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.

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Susan Tavernetti Palo Alto Weekly May 20, 2003 3.5/4

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Philip Martin Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Jan 23, 2003 B

...a road movie of uncommon texture and grit during which the mismatched couple, each initially defensive and guarded, bond with each other.

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Jeffrey Westhoff Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) Sep 3, 2002 4/5

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Marty Mapes Movie Habit Aug 21, 2002 3.5/4

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Pablo Villaça Cinema em Cena May 31, 2002 5/5

'Central do Brasil' tem a simplicidade dos grandes filmes.

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Jeremy Heilman MovieMartyr.com Mar 5, 2002 3.5/4

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Mary Ann Brussat Spirituality & Practice Mar 3, 2002

An orphan boy tenderizes the heart of a cynical woman who finally realizes her kinship with others. This is a deeply spiritual film.

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Louis B. Hobson Jam! Movies Jan 23, 2002

It's not just a strong, heartfelt drama. It's a film that transcends its national boundaries.

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Brandon Judell Entertainment Asylum Nov 23, 2001 10/10

Watching this delectably humane road movie incites the same emotions as discovering the works of Truffaut

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Christopher Null Filmcritic.com Oct 8, 2001 3.5/5

It's a fascinating, small, tale, held together by lush photography.

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Elspeth Haughton Apollo Guide Feb 14, 2001 80/100

Director Walter Salles has created more than a road picture; he tells a poignant story about two characters and their destinies -- destinies that remain uncertain.

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Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times Feb 14, 2001 4.5/5

As beautiful as it is wrenching.

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Doris Toumarkine Film Journal International Jan 1, 2000

Central Station profoundly satisfies on many levels, but is most poignant as a tale of redemption and triumph allowed the kind of heroine who can only exist outside Hollywood.

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Joe Baltake Sacramento Bee Jan 1, 2000

Salles provides a textbook example of how to toy with our emotions, how to involve and move us, without necessarily condescending to us or insulting us.

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Mark R. Leeper rec.arts.movies.reviews Jan 1, 2000 high +1 out of -4..+4

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Jeff Vice Deseret News (Salt Lake City) Jan 1, 2000

If you don't at least tear up in the film's final scene, you are either seriously lacking emotion, or dead.

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