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| Movie Review: Quinceanera Alternate Title: Don't Judge a Book by its Cover
Story: When Hispanic girls turn
15 they meet their community as women in a ceremony called Quinceanea.
It is formal, charming and very old world. Co-writers and directors Wash Westmorland
and Richard Glatzer lovingly introduce us to a neighborhood
called Echo Park, in Los Angeles, which has long been an immigrant community
but is slowly but surely being gentrified - often displacing the long
term immigrant tenants. Magdalena, our 14 year old, becomes pregnant.
Her preacher father handles the situation poorly. She moves in with
her Uncle Tomas, who has also taken in a cousin, who is the black sheep
of the family. The depth of the main characters is slowly revealed to
us and we care for each of them. This film is about unconditional love, respect,
family and redemption. What could have been a sapfest in lesser hands
turns into a charming independent film, well worth your time. Acting: Emily Rios is terrific in
her first film. Chalo Gonzalez hit a home run as the
old Uncle and Jesse Garcia was fabulous as the cousin.
Predilection: None
Critters: Two fluffy dogs.
Food: Lots of yummy Mexican food.
Blatant Product Placement: Coca Cola and Hummer
Opening Titles: A nice overview of Echo Park and
its ethnic feel.
Visual Art: Wonderful spots of photos and sculpture.
Weather: It is Los Angeles. It is mostly sunny and
72.
Sappy Factor: 2
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I was entertained throughout
Predictability Level: Moderately high
Tissue Usage: I welled a bit.
Oscar Worthy: No
Soap Box: Gentrification is a tricky issue. It is
inevitable, yet upsetting and unsettling without affordable housing
for the people who are displaced. Nit Picking: No nits to pick
Big Screen or Rental: Support the Indies and go to
the big screen.
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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