Quality of Life (2004)

Meet Michael "Heir" Rosario, the most prolific and talented graffiti writer from the Mission District in San Francisco. At age ten, in a desperate search for fame and identity, Heir began ... See full summary »

Director:

Benjamin Morgan

Writers:

Benjamin Morgan, Brian Burnam,

Stars:

Lane Garrison, Brian Burnam, Luis Saguar

1 win.

Cast

Credited cast:
Lane Garrison	...	Heir
Brian Burnam	...	Vain
Luis Saguar	...	Pops
Mackenzie Firgens	...	Lisa
Tajai Massey	...	Dino
Fred Pitts	...	Robert
Andy Rolfes	...	Officer Charles (as Andrew A. Rolfes)
Bryna Weiss	...	Grandma
Ricky R. Marshall	...	Auto
Ezra Stanley	...	Kid
Fred Salvallon	...	Employee
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Daniel Chacón	...	Stray
James Duisenberg	...	Store Manager

Storyline

Meet Michael "Heir" Rosario, the most prolific and talented graffiti writer from the Mission District in San Francisco. At age ten, in a desperate search for fame and identity, Heir began writing his name on surrounding urban landscapes. More than a decade later, Heir has evolved into a brilliant street artist. With the support of his best friend and partner-in-crime, Curtis "Vain" Smith, Heir has covertly decorated the canvases of concrete and steel throughout the Bay Area. However, when Heir and Vain are arrested for painting, their secret identities are revealed and creative outlets abruptly severed. Faced with restitution and the prospect of serving hard time, Heir and Vain struggle to maintain their creative passion. The paths they choose threaten to unravel their lifelong friendship and, ultimately, their lives.

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Plot Keywords:

graffiti

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Taglines:

Where do you draw the line?

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 June 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Against the Wall

Filming Locations:

Redwood City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Quality of Life Film LLC

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Brant Smith:  the passed-out crackhead in the jail scene.

User Reviews

quality of life- must see for anyone interested in hip hop culture

Quality of Life, as a true low-budget indie, is a remarkably polished film. Chronicling the lives of two Frisco graff writers (Vain and Heir) as their encounters with the law place strain on their friendship and ambitions, the movie takes a penetrating look at those involved in the underground graffiti movement, as well as their place in society.

While one character, Heir, considers straightening out his life by getting involved in advertising, bringing to light the difficulties involved in such a transition, his friend, Vain, unwilling to let go of the "bombing" lifestyle, heads into a tailspin, that eventually explodes in the film's powerful climax.

Despite the serious nature of the film, the movie has a lot of funny moments, which prevent it from being overbearing. The characters- artists at a crossroads- are complex and interesting, and a good balance, the more volatile Vain complementing the more level-headed Heir. Aesthetically, the cinematography, which mirrors the grittiness of the Frisco graff scene, is beautiful in its abrasiveness, and the soundtrack, featuring bay area emcees like Andre Nikatina and Top Ramen, helps set the mood. There's also some pretty ill fight scenes and the tags are top notch. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone interested in hip hop culture.