Quinceanera (2005)

Truly marvelous

What holds this movie together and most independent films is the big heart behind it. The biggest ones ofcourse goes to the three leads, Jesse Garcia(Carlos), Emily Rios(Magdalena) and Chalo Gonzalez(Tio Tomas). These three made the movie. Their interpretation of their characters is so on the mark. And the Title? I think it's no use explaining what Quinceanera is all about but let me give it a try. It's a celebration to mark the transition of a girl to womanhood. It's real big, sometimes parents spend more on this than the wedding. Why 15, some sociological anthropologist surmise that it was an ancient mayan ritual melded into Christianity. Anyway, Magdalena's Quinceanera is really just a backdrop. It's just that so many life altering events happens as she looks forward to her big day. One being a virginal pregnancy which might puzzle some viewers, but I think this is an atempt to pay homage to the the style of literature that is Latin American; Magical Thinking made popular by novelist/nobel laurette- Gabriel Garcia-Marquez. I think it's a nice touch. And for some of us who has lived and is familiar with the setting, Echo Park, this movie will make you homesick. You can see that some of the same shops and streets haven't change much and it's real cool that the filmakers used real people who lived there and shot the film almost entirely on location. My hats off to the actors and the filmakers, what a lobor of love and it shows. Please watch the DVD extras. It is just as interesting like the fact the Emily Rios grew up in a Jehovah Witnesses' family(the religious sect that don't beleive in celebrating birthdays, holloween, christmas, anything-PartyPoopers! but I hear that it's okay for couples to celebrate their Wedding Anniversaries.) so Rios never had a Quinceanera or anything like it and Jesse Garcia grew up in the midWest, no exposures to Chicano culture or gang life. Chalo Gonzales who lovingly portrays Tio Tomas is an old western, Sam Pekinpah actor, expresses his aprreciation for being in the movie with such joy that's its palpable and you cry along with him. I highly recommend this movie. It's a real treat. August 5, 2008

Captures who we are as a culture.

This movie was well done, although I believe it was a little too short and could have explored a little more of the story lines. But if you are of the latino culture you will know exactly what this family experiences and I am sure you can relate to the whole Quinceanera experience. Jesse Garcia is a great actor in the film and I think it's his character that really makes the movie worth watching. February 13, 2008

Best representation I've seen in a while...

It's sometimes hard to capture a true representation of a Hispanic family living in the United States. I was blown away by the raw reality I found in this film. All of the characters are so wonderfully portrayed, and every character takes the perfect course of action through the plot to result in the raw passions but undying love that families like this one experience.

If you were born into a Hispanic-American family, watch and enjoy. You will understand every second. January 28, 2008

taut, gripping slice of life

Quinceañera is one of those very few indie films that truly score a huge goal. The convincing acting had me riveted to my seat throughout the picture; and I actually shed a few tears when I watched Carlos, the black sheep of the family, give a eulogy for his deceased Uncle Tomas near the end of the film. Quinceañera sends a big message about life in general, what growing up is really all about, and how tough things can be when an ethnic neighborhood becomes gentrified.

The action begins at a Quinceañera ritual and party (a coming of age ceremony in Spanish culture similar to a young Jewish girl's Bat Mitzvah). We see the young people dancing on the floor and the older members of the family with socializing at their tables with their friends. A fourteen year old girl named Magdalena (Emily Rios) dreams of her upcoming Quinceañera ceremony while her thick headed father simply dreads the high cost of the ceremony. In addition, we quickly see that all will not be the way Magdalena wants for her party. She will have to wear a dress already worn by another member of the family and she will not be able to arrive at her Quinceañera in a Hummer limousine.

Magdalena and her boyfriend Herman (J.R. Cruz) are fumbling through a relationship as girlfriend and boyfriend when a shocking event occurs--Magdalena is pregnant. Nobody can figure out how or why, especially since the one time she was intimate with Herman they did not go "all the way." Nevertheless, pregnant she is--and her father rewards her by throwing her out of their home.

Magdalena soon winds up living with her gentle, kind Uncle Tomas (Chalo González) and the black sheep of the family, her cousin Carlos (Jesse Garcia) who, with the exception of Uncle Tomas, they all hate because he likes men. However, unexpected events occur which challenge Magdalena to grow up fast in a meaningful way that a mere ceremonial Quinceañera never could have.

What will happen to Magdalena and Carlos after their Uncle Tomas dies unexpectedly? Will Magdalena's parents ever reconcile with her? How did Magdalena actually become pregnant in the first place? How does gentrification change the lives of the Spanish people in their neighborhood? No spoilers here, folks, you'll just have to watch the movie to find out!

Look for some very moving scenes near the end of this movie, especially, as I wrote above, when Carlos speaks at his Uncle's funeral. I also like the way the film takes its time to develop Carlos's relationship with the two gay men who live next door to them. The choreography was quite good for the Quinceañera party scenes and the cinematography was great. You'd never know this was a low budget movie; it says so much that is so meaningful you won't notice too many flaws when you watch this one.

The DVD comes with a few extras which include a commentary with both the filmmakers and the cast; and there is a noteworthy "making of" the movie featurette.

Overall, I highly recommend Quinceañera for fans of independent films and for anyone who enjoys films that entertain but make you think and move you with their heartfelt message. Quinceañera exposes the great talents of many of the actors; but Emily Rios as Magdalena and Jesse Garcia as Carlos are the ones who truly steal the show.

Bravo!
December 13, 2007

REAL, BUT NOT ENOUGH FEELING!

quinceanera is a lot on the real side. an old tradition with lots of drama that really happens. i liked it because it does relate to the realities of life in a not so well to do family, a broken family, and a teenage mother. all things that happen, and are for real. they do it so well, but the only thing that i didn't like is that there isn't any real feelings there. maybe just in jesse garcia's case (carlos). he brought it. the outsider of the familia, because he's down and he brings that ese vibe to the screen very well. on the other hand, every one else is just sort of there to say the lines. i would have liked to see more emotions that's the only way you really feel what's going on. you understand if you've been there and lived it, so you've felt that emotion, but for those who haven't need to see the realities as they really are. overall the movie was good. the way the baile goes, the way things are when there's no money, when you finally find the real you, and how to deal with being pregnant at 15. how the boys can make it but vatos can't take care of it. pretty sad, but that's life. the beauty of growing up the best you can with what you have. growing a life inside you when you're just growing up yourself. everything is there, and well done. this is a good one. just another glimpse in the life of the latinos. the struggles, the so called shame, and that you don't need much to be happy. September 18, 2007

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