When first sitting down to watch this most excellent movie, it's quickly apparent that it's central theme is a familiar one- it's a story of a kid off the streets (in this case, Spanish Harlem) who finds a way off the streets and to better himself and how it affects those in his inner circle. Yes, we've all seen these movies numerous times- but this one is different. Not the story per say, but the movie itself makes it so "real" and so genuine.
The movie was written, directed, acted, and shot in Spanish Harlem, using hand held cameras and ambient lighting and sound. The script is mostly spontaneous and fresh, and "very fluent" street talk (i.e.- f- bombs galore, trash talking, etc), which adds to the story's authenticity and credibility. And using street kids to play mirrors of themselves gives this oft told story a fresh and appealing spin.
Wish more movies were made like this- real people from the same place that the story takes place at, instead of "importing" them from afar (like, you can definitely tell when an actor/actress from California is trying to act like a New Yorker and vice-a-versa)!
The movie was written, directed, acted, and shot in Spanish Harlem, using hand held cameras and ambient lighting and sound. The script is mostly spontaneous and fresh, and "very fluent" street talk (i.e.- f- bombs galore, trash talking, etc), which adds to the story's authenticity and credibility. And using street kids to play mirrors of themselves gives this oft told story a fresh and appealing spin.
Wish more movies were made like this- real people from the same place that the story takes place at, instead of "importing" them from afar (like, you can definitely tell when an actor/actress from California is trying to act like a New Yorker and vice-a-versa)!