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Raising Victor Vargas (2002) 6.9
Ratings:
6.9/10 from 4,213 users
Metascore: 83/100
Reviews: 133 user | 59 critic | 31 from Metacritic.com A Lower East Side teen-ager struggles to find some sanity while surrounded by an eccentric grandmother, a crazy new girlfriend, and a longing younger brother. Director:Peter Sollett |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Victor Rasuk | ... |
Victor Vargas
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| Judy Marte | ... |
'Juicy' Judy Gonzalez
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| Melonie Diaz | ... |
Melonie
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Altagracia Guzman | ... |
Grandma
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| Silvestre Rasuk | ... |
Nino Vargas
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Krystal Rodriguez | ... |
Vicki de la Cruz
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Kevin Rivera | ... |
Harold
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Wilfree Vasquez | ... |
Carlos
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Donna Maldonado | ... |
Fat Donna
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Alexander Garcia | ... |
Al
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John Ramos | ... |
Macho
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Theresa Martinez | ... |
Judy's Mom
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Randy Luna | ... |
Pool Boy #3
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Jeff Knite | ... |
Pool Boy #4
(as Jeff Asencio)
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Juan I. Lebron | ... |
Israel
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Plot Summary
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Add Synopsis
Storyline
Victor is growing up on the Lower East Side and is at the age where he is driven by desire and unchained by maturity. His image as a ladies man is shattered when he is found in Fat Donna's bedroom. Soon, as a result of his sister's big mouth, the whole Dominican community knows. Full of confidence, Victor sets out to reclaim his image by winning Judy. Judy proves to be elusive and difficult. Victor persists, and with a surprising tenderness, ultimately wins Judy's heart. Written by johnno.r@xtra.co.nz
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Details
Release Date:
2 July 2003 (France) See more »Also Known As:
Long Way Home See more »Filming Locations:
Lower East Side, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USABox Office
Budget:
$800,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$33,166 (USA) (28 March 2003)Gross:
$2,073,984 (USA) (8 August 2003)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby SRColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Written by Coati Mundi (as Coati Mundi Hernandez)
Produced by Coati Mundi
Performed by ManicPhonic Meltdown
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The film's working title was "Long Way Home". See more »Quotes
Guy hanging out: [to Melonie and Judy] I'll f*ck you so hard, your aunt is gonna feel it!See more »
Soundtracks
"Casado y Cansado (No Puedo Mas)"Written by Coati Mundi (as Coati Mundi Hernandez)
Produced by Coati Mundi
Performed by ManicPhonic Meltdown
See more »
Someone will have to explain to me why every film that features poor people and adopts a pseudo-gritty look is somehow seen as "realistic" by some people.
I didn't see anything realistic about the characters (although the actors did their best with really bad parts) or the situations. Instead, I saw a forced, self-conscious effort at being "edgy", "gritty" and "down and dirty".
Sadly, it takes a lot more than hand-holding the camera without rhyme or reason and failing to light the film to achieve any of the above qualities in any significant way.
It's a sad commentary on the state of independent film distribution that the only films that see the inside of a movie theater are nowadays all carbon copies, with bad cinematography, non-existent camera direction and a lot of swearing striving to pass themselves as "Art".
It's little wonder that films like "In the Bedroom" or "About Schmidt" get such raves. I found them to be meandering and very average, but compared to the current slew of independent clones like "Raising victor Vargas" they are outright brilliant and inspired.
A few years ago seeing an "independent" film meant that you would likely be treated to some originality and a lot of energy and care, and maybe a few technical glitches caused by the low budgets, nowadays, it means that chances are you'll get yet another by-the-numbers, let's-shake-the-camera-around-for-two-hours attempt at placating the lack of taste of independent distributors. And of course all that to serve characters and situations that are completely unreal and contrived.
Is it any surprise that the independent marketplace has fewer and fewer surviving companies? Not at all when you see films like Raising Victor Vargas that do nothing but copy the worst of the films that preceded them.