Trash review – a likable kid’s adventure with a grownup angle

Nothing to do with Andy Warhol’s movie from 1970. This is a fast-moving and likable children’s adventure with a fiercely grownup angle, mainly because the kids involved have had to grow up quickly. Screenwriter Richard Curtis has adapted a YA novel by Andy Mulligan, and Stephen Daldry directs. Raphael (Rickson Tevez), Gardo (Eduardo Luís) and Rato (Gabriel Weinstein) are three Brazilian street kids from the favelas, who scratch a living from mountains of trash at the city limits. One day they come upon a wallet containing some cash and, more importantly, photos and documents. It all relates to corrupt politicians and vicious cops who badly want this wallet back. The boys find themselves way out of their depth, but they have some friends in the form of a cantankerous whisky priest, Father Juilliard, and an aid worker, Olivia – small roles for Martin Sheen and Rooney Mara. Trash amiably reminded me of Danny Boyle movies like Slumdog Millionaire and Millions. The time-honoured conceit of kids who chance upon something they keep secret from the adults goes back to ET and Whistle Down the Wind. A possible worry is that Trash is too adult for a family audience, and yet not a fully adult thriller, but it is a watchable adventure.

• Life amid the trash of a Rio dump