Roosters (1993)

Gallo Morales is the proud patriach returning home after a seven-year stint for manslaughter. Seeking to re-establish his legendary status as a champion breeder, he comes back for the ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert M. Young

Writers:

Milcha Sanchez-Scott (play), Milcha Sanchez-Scott (screenplay)

Stars:

Edward James Olmos, Sarah Lassez, Sonia Braga

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward James Olmos	...	Gallo Morales
Sarah Lassez	...	Angela Estelle Morales
Sonia Braga	...	Juana Morales
Maria Conchita Alonso	...	Chata
Danny Nucci	...	Hector Morales
Valente Rodriguez	...	Adan
Mark Dacascos	...	Filipino's Son
L. Ignacio Gameros	...	Priest
Arin Pasquel Real	...	10 Year Old Hector
Grace Keagy	...	Ms. Arganda
James Robert Lee	...	Filipino Father
Frank Soto	...	Abuelo
William Warren	...	Filipino's Friend
Maud Winchester	...	Waitress
Luisa Leschin	...	(voice)

Storyline

Gallo Morales is the proud patriach returning home after a seven-year stint for manslaughter. Seeking to re-establish his legendary status as a champion breeder, he comes back for the rooster bred by his father. But it is Hector, his son who inherits the prize-winning bird and neither are about to give in. The fall-out from their conflict has consequences for the whole family, especially for Angela, the sensitive 14-year-old daughter unable to cope with the brutal world that surrounds her and her own emerging womanhood, despite the best efforts of Juana, her strong but long-suffering mother.

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | independent film | based on play

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some disturbing images of violence and sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 July 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gallos de pelea

Filming Locations:

Tucson, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Gross:

$148,919 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Playhouse, KCET, Olmos Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Edward James Olmos once again carries a film

In an odd sense, this film was more about the destitute condition of family than the social significance of father-son relationships. An allegory to say the least, this proves to be one of those films which felt dark and compelling, but possessed some rather unsettling nuances within the script. Roosters didn't try to hide the meaning of the champion rooster, but the meaning behind the bird proved to be quite genius. Instead of the typical separation of differences between a father and a son, the rooster filled the gap quite nicely.

While this isn't Edward James Olmos' best film, it proved to be one of the more confined and unusual pieces of work in his prestigious career. Up until this point, he had always been a good guy. But like his turn in American Me and this film, Olmos proved he could convey guile and remorselessness as well. I also give kudos to Sarah Lassez as the mentally handicapped Angela. While she was somewhat annoying in the early parts of the film, her role was a nice juxtaposition to the family's main conflict in the later stages of the film.