East Side Story (2006/I)

Director:

Carlos Portugal

Writers:

Carlos Portugal (writer)
Charo Toledo (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

Love Thy Neighbor...Just Don't Get Caught.

Plot:

Plot Keywords:

Interracial Romance | Man Pretending To Be Straight | Role Playing | Gay Romance | Gay Relationship

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Luis Accinelli	...	Don Rogelio
René Alvarado	...	Diego Campos
David Berón	...	Pablo Morales
Steve Callahan	...	Wesley Henderson
Michael Cassady	...	Dennis
Dominic Ceci	...	Adam
Irene DeBari	...	Sara Campos
Yelyna De Leon	...	Tiffany
Carl Donelson	...	AA Guest #2
Anthony Fitzgerald	...	Jimmy
Gladys Jimenez	...	Bianca Campos (as Gladise Jimenez)
Shannon Kemp	...	Steve
Luis Raul	...	Salvador
Cory Schneider	...	Jonathon Webber
Andrea Zafra	...	Janice Morales

Runtime:

USA:88 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Into Action Films

Quotes:

Jonathon Webber: Wes, honey, you better get dressed. Adam and Steve are going to be here soon. Or is it Steve and Adam? The top usually goes first.

Movie Connections:

References West Side Story (1961)

Fun little independent film

Diego (Rene Alvaredo) is almost 30, living in east LA with his grandmother (Irene DeBari), helps run a family restaurant, has no friends and has an unhappy relationship with a VERY closeted real estate agent (David Beron). Diego also is in the closet but wants to come out. Then a gay couple move next door--and Diego falls for one of them (Steve Callahan).

This is extremely light and a little lacking in plot--but how many movies to we see about a gay Latino man falling in love and struggling to come out? It's well-directed, moves very quick and has a very good attractive cast. Alvaredo and Callahan are (to put in mildly) very handsome with nice bodies...but they also can act. Also DeBari is excellent as Diego's grandmother--her and Alvaredo play off each other perfectly. Also Gladys Jimenez (as Bianca Campos--an aunt) comes roaring out full force. She has the funniest lines ("A four way is not an orgy!") and plays them full tilt. I also have to admit more than a few moments had my audience choking up--Diego's wanting to come out is sometimes painful to watch and DeBari's total acceptance of him is very moving.

My only complaints are the plot is kind of sketchy, the ending is way too unbelievable (this one pushes for a happy one) and the two main villains in this (Pablo and Wesley's lover Jonathan) are so vicious it gets uncomfortable. And we're supposed to believe a hot young guy like Diego has NO friends??? Still this is fun, light and also includes some very passionate guy on guy kissing. Recommended.