Almost a Woman (2001)

almost a woman

i write this because till this day i have yet to receive the movie. January 17, 2007

a beautiful translation, from book to screen.....

Ana Maria Lagasca is mesmerizing and compelling, as "Negi," the eldest of ten children, who emigrate from Puerto Rico to New York with their mother. This TV-film version of Esmeralda Santiago's "Almost A Woman," the sequel to "When I Was Puerto Rican," beautifully encapsulates the essence of the novel. For starters, Santiago had a first hand part in the production and orchestration of the film version. She wrote the screenplay, which extracts the most dramatically compelling and engaging scenes from the book. Secondly, the acting is first class and the actors are nothing short of wonderful. Wanda De Jesus sparkles, as Negi's strong-willed and resilient mother. The rest of the cast is of equal first rate calibre.

What I appreciate about this film is, although it focuses on the experiences of a young Puerto Rican girl in a foreign place, who, upon arrival, speaks almost no English, the story isn't exclusive to the Latino experience in the United States. Her feeling of isolation and exclusion is a universal feeling many people have experienced, at some time or another. What's more, her story of triumph in the face of adversity, going on to shine at the New York Performing High School For the Arts, as an aspiring actress, is nothing short of inspiring.

This film mixes warmth with the cool reality of assimilation, and manages to remain compelling to, both, a young audience and a more mature one. I highly reccomend this. December 4, 2005

Bravo! Almost A Woman is a must see Latino Heritage Film

I first read the book Almost A Woman by Esmeralda Santiago over three years ago and loved it. So when I received a notice from a friend that Lehman College in the Bronx, NY was showing a viewing of the movie I traveled from Philadelphia to New York to see this film. I was not disappointed! Almost a Woman was a wonderful representation of the book. I recommend that all Latinas between the ages of 10 - 45 see this film. It's a wonderful story of coming of age, of transcultural life, of the struggles and ultimate triumph of one girl who in the mist of adolescents goes against tradition to demand access to a better way of life and education. Bravo Esmeralda, you've done it again! October 13, 2003

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