MAC Releasing
NEW YORK -- This low-budget indie about a young Dominican artist trying to fulfill his dreams of creating his own comic book resonates with a sort of geographical and textural verisimilitude that compensates for its rough-hewn technical and dramatic aspects.
An award winner at several film festivals, the film marks Alfredo De Villa's debut effort.
The story concerns two friends with unlikely aspirations, both living in the uptown, largely Hispanic Manhattan neighborhood that gives the film its name. Carlos (Manny Perez), 28, is a comic book illustrator but dreams of finding fame and fortune by creating a series. His best friend, Mickey Kilpatrick (Danny Hoch), the super of his building, has grandiose plans to become a professional bowler. Both men's goals are derided by their respective fathers, Eddie (Tomas Milian) and Sean (Jude Ciccolella), themselves best friends.
When Eddie is shot and left partially paralyzed by an attempted robbery at the bodega he owns, Carlos must temporarily put his plans on hold and attend to the store. Meanwhile, Mickey steals a large sum of money from a drug dealer to help fund his and Carlos Plans,' with the inevitable violent repercussions.
The screenplay, written by de Villa and Nat Moss, with additional participation by the notable short story writer Junot Diaz, largely concentrates, to excellent dramatic effect, on the relationship between Carlos and his father -- their scenes are charged with a quiet intensity. Only with its melodramatic and violent climax does the film become heavy-handed.
NEW YORK -- This low-budget indie about a young Dominican artist trying to fulfill his dreams of creating his own comic book resonates with a sort of geographical and textural verisimilitude that compensates for its rough-hewn technical and dramatic aspects.
An award winner at several film festivals, the film marks Alfredo De Villa's debut effort.
The story concerns two friends with unlikely aspirations, both living in the uptown, largely Hispanic Manhattan neighborhood that gives the film its name. Carlos (Manny Perez), 28, is a comic book illustrator but dreams of finding fame and fortune by creating a series. His best friend, Mickey Kilpatrick (Danny Hoch), the super of his building, has grandiose plans to become a professional bowler. Both men's goals are derided by their respective fathers, Eddie (Tomas Milian) and Sean (Jude Ciccolella), themselves best friends.
When Eddie is shot and left partially paralyzed by an attempted robbery at the bodega he owns, Carlos must temporarily put his plans on hold and attend to the store. Meanwhile, Mickey steals a large sum of money from a drug dealer to help fund his and Carlos Plans,' with the inevitable violent repercussions.
The screenplay, written by de Villa and Nat Moss, with additional participation by the notable short story writer Junot Diaz, largely concentrates, to excellent dramatic effect, on the relationship between Carlos and his father -- their scenes are charged with a quiet intensity. Only with its melodramatic and violent climax does the film become heavy-handed.
- 5/16/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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