O Jogo da Vida is a 1977 Brazilian drama film directed by Maurice Capovila.
It is an adaptation of the short story Malagueta, Perus e Bacanaço, by João Antônio.
It features soundtrack by João Bosco and Aldir Blanc and musical direction by Radamés Gnatalli in his last work for cinema.
A trio of misfit friends, Malagueta, Perus and Bacanaço, wander through the São Paulo night planning to win money with scams and betting on cue games.
On intervals, flashbacks show scenes of each one's recent past: Malagueta became homeless after his house was torn down after an eviction, Perus (named after the homonymous district), frequently quarrels with his wife for being unsatisfied with his job at a cement factory and his neighborhood, and Bacanaço is seen exploiting women, escaping a shootout and being arrested by acting on Jogo do Bicho.