Dramas, Coming Of Age, Teenage, Recommended, Theatrical Release, New York City, Latinos, Urban Life, Teenage Girls, Essential Cinema
Description
Peter Sollett's astonishing feature debut establishes the director as one of American cinema's most refreshing new voices. Miraculously capturing the grittiness of life on Manhattan's Lower East Side while maintaining an air of hopeful innocence, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS plays like a combination of KIDS and THE GOONIES. When Victor Vargas (Victor Rasuk) is busted hooking up with "Fat Donna" (Donna Maldonado), he sets his sights on a more respectable target. That target is "Juicy Judy" Gonzalez (Judy Marte), a gorgeous teenager who has been looking for someone to keep the neighborhood leeches away. After being formally introduced to Judy by her younger brother Carlos (Wilfree Vasquez)--who just so happens to have a crush on Victor's younger sister Vicki (Krystal Rodriguez)--Victor gets his wish. But to Judy, this is merely a business proposition. As Victor gradually realizes that his feelings for Judy are becoming much deeper, he must contend with his stubborn grandmother (Altagracia Guzman), who wants to punish him for being a negative influence on his little brother Nino (Silvestre Rasuk). Gorgeously photographed by Tim Orr and brilliantly acted by its non-professional cast, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS is a universal tale that crosses all racial, social, and economical lines.
DVD Features
Region 1 Keep Case Widescreen - 1.85 Audio: Dolby Digital 2.0 - English
This is a very interesting movie that I had heard a lot about but never bothered to watch until now. The cast are all real NYC teens with little or no acting experience, this lends the film to a more... Read the whole review at MatchFlick
