MovieChat Forums > Angel Rodriguez (2005) Discussion > EXCELLENT

EXCELLENT

posted 17 years ago by CaliforniaMovieLover
9 replies | jump to latest

This is a slice of life film about the experiences of a minority youth in inner-city America. I thought is was superb. It had realism and Jonan Everett was outstanding in the role - very likable, and able to capture the complexities of this troubled and intelligent character with a good heart. His portrayal of a child born into nearly impossible circumstances was touching and on-target. The ending, rather than the usual fare of dark messages of hopelessness and despair of inner-city life, had hope. He was looking ahead to the future and it left you with what life actually gives you - questions. Ambiguity. Uncertainties. But you also felt that Angel would make it. He asserted himself with the receptionist and secured a face-to-face with the employer. Angel is so likable that you believe he WILL be able to make his dream of escaping his current life circumstances come true. Other actors in the film were outstanding as well. I highly recommend this film.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] crookedraincrookedrain 17 years ago

It doesn't matter whether or not he got the job. That's not the point, I don't think. It's about who Angel has allowed himself to become. If getting the job was the point then it wouldn't have ended like that.

[–] a_chinese_bookie 17 years ago

YEah, at least there are a few filmmakers out there willing to take risks and do something new.

Bravo to HBO for supporting true independent film.

[–] ReelAlityBytes 17 years ago

Well, if you are in New York City, you could try to catch a free screening of this movie at BAM Rose Cinemas(Jay Sharp Building) at 30 Lafayette Avenue (near Atlantic Center Mall) Brooklyn, NY 11217. It starts at 6:50 PM on 11/18/06 but you should arrive AT LEAST by 5:30PM to get the first come, first serve tickets. There is planned a Q and A afterwards with Jim McKay and Jonan Everett. Perhaps I'll go and ask questions about the point of this movie aked here on this board (LOL)

Seriously though, the advertisement for this free screening offers this as a synopsis of ANGEL RODRIGUEZ

"Angel Rodriguez explores the complicated relationship between a white, well-educated counselor (Griffiths) and Angel, a bright but troubled teenager she’s trying to help. As Angel seems headed for the streets, Nicole takes him into her own home until he can resolve his conflicts with his father. But soon the limitations of her compassion are laid bare as both struggle with their own set of problems in this unflinching, open-ended film."

This is the same one I read before seeing this on HBO and I personally think it does the film a disservice. I did not see any complicated relationship between the white well-educated counselor and the bright but troubled teenager at all. the complicated relationship between a bright and troubled teenager and the world and situations he finds himself is more like it. If I had gone into it thinking it was going to be a slice of life film, I might have enjoyed it more.

The ending did not particularly bother me about this film but there seemed to be too many moments were the interactions between characters made one think, "There is a story behind this somewhere" but that story never presented itself to the screen. I would have liked to have known how Jamie's and Angel's friendship was cultivated. There seemed to be some sexual orientation ambiguity in Angel, especially in light of how his father chose to emasculate him by offering the info on how Angel still wets his bed (how sweet!) at that conference meeting at the school. I think how Angel chose to show his anger and frustration at his father's girlfriend when he went to retreive some of his stuff at the house could have been gone into a little deeper. I don't care how likeable he may be, that was way out of line and bordered on criminal. I felt it did meander at points which is a shame, because some mighty fine acting moments were also presented on the screen. I pimped this movie out to whoever was willing to sit through it and they all agreed the acting was solid but the story direction was weak.Oh well....A for effort

[–] CaliforniaMovieLover 17 years ago

ReelAlityBytes, I completely concur. I read the bit you posted here and wondered if the dimwit who wrote that blurb even SAW the film. Truly, his relationship with the social worker was very minor - it's really about his relationship with himself - defining himself and making choices with an eye to his future. It felt like such a genuine slice-of-life for a gifted young man born into nearly impossible circumstances. At the end, he chooses to go into a positive direction. He's begun his path down the road to a better future.

Frankly, had I read the blurb on it, I wouldn't have bothered. It reads like a depressing piece of work. I see enough pain in my work life - I don't need to be beaten up by films! But I was channel surfing and hit this charmer right as it was begining. Those marketing people are a trip.

Yes, his battery of his step-mother is clearly a crime. I wondered if the film would take him through the usual - juvenile hall, etc. I was glad to see it didn't - although in real life, she certainly would have reported it.

The movie is terrific and the marketing blurb has nothing to do with it. Bizarre.

[–] slimsticks 17 years ago

yup I would agree to that. After seeing films like Killer Sheep(gave it a good shot but could hardly take it, Blue(oh my goodness wtf is this!!! harsh the 1st time but honestly would like to tackle it again),Marie Antionette(I don't think it was meant to be a slice of life but somewhere along the line from pre-prod to that's a wrap something went wrong. Coppola owes me some $$$) this would is a slice of life film that I really enjoyed.

I enjoyed the story. The acting was very natural. It was just life on film done perfectly. I actually liked the open ending. It creates convo, b/c now we're all wondering about Angel. What's going to happen to this kid? Which is a good thing b/c the director has created a character that we root for, we care about even after he damn near almost kills his fathers g/f we still forgive him. Very enjoyable film & I acutally would buy it for my DVD collection.

07'

[–] rjmitchel-1 17 years ago

This movie was an attempt to tell one of the “8 Million Stories” of inner-city youth. While the movie was obviously captivating, or you wouldn’t have followed it until its anti-climactic ending. The concept of the picture is very good, however the implementation left much to be desired. I wonder if a very limited budget had anything to do with it, i.e., a rush to shoot the film. I would like to see the picture reproduced and the screen play fine tuned. There was so much to explore. Why did he daydream so much? Why was he at seventeen years of age still wetting the bed? Why did he quit so many jobs? What was the anger against he father’s girl friend? Why did he gravitate to his homosexual friend? Angel is a dysfunctional young man, who exhibits signs of being severely emotional disturbed. The true story is why. What made him that way? The movie seemed to focus on the effects of his up bringing. Sigmund Freud’s explorations might reveal the lack of a relationship with his mother. His gay friend might have been a substitute. Overall, good premise, poor implementation.

[–] lintriago-1 17 years ago

I especially liked Angel when he had a bag over his father's girlfriend's head.

Huh?

I found his character completely unlikeable. If anything, I couldn't find anything sympathetic about his character. He had a right to feel anger towards his father but to the point where he almost murdered his girlfriend is a bit reprehensible. The character of Nicole risked her job to try to help him and he stole from her and left her feeling helpless and to the point where she didn't want to go back to being a social worker after she had her baby. Rachel Griffiths was the best thing about this film. This movie really made me angry.

[–] 17 years ago

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