Glossing over such inconvenient facts as out-of-wedlock fatherhood, this unabashed encomium skimps on complexity and insight in the name of veneration.

Lula, Son of Brazil is proof that even charismatic political figures, in this case, Brazil's former president, Luiz Incio Lula da Silva, can be felled by the requirements of the standard biopic genre.

With its $5 million budget, "Lula'' is said to be Brazil's most expensive movie yet. It's a shame the money wasn't better spent.

Responsible world citizens should probably know the story of Lula, but when it comes down to it, it doesn't feel like Lula ever truly gives us insight into Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.