'Quinceanera' is a small reminder of why I love independent films. Sure, it's not groundbreaking cinema, it's not even that innovative, but it's a nicely done little film that speaks some very powerful truths. Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland's first feature 'Quinceneara' follows a young Mexican-American girl in Echo Park, California during the days leading up to her 'quinceanera' or fifteenth birthday. When she finds out she is pregnant, her uptight preacher father kicks her out of the house and she finds shelter with her great uncle Tomas and her black-sheep cousin Carlos. The problem is -- she's still a virgin!
I know what you are thinking, and no, 'Quinceanera' is not a movie about immaculate conception. Long story short, her boyfriend made a love explosion on her leg and some of the little sperm guys got inside and got her pregnant. Kinda wild, heh? I apologize for the graphic description.
The best aspect about the film is the acting. Jesse Garcia, namely, is outstanding as the black-sheep openly-gay cousin, Carlos. Emily Rios is equally as powerful as the main character, and Chalo Gonzalez is heart-warming as the non-judgemental uncle. Glatzer and Westmoreland's directing is decent, and their screenplay rings true. The film has flaws, namely it lags during the middle, and the gay neighbor sub-plot seems a bit thrown together. However, in the end 'Quinceanera' pulls itself together to send a positive message of tolerance. Grade: B
I know what you are thinking, and no, 'Quinceanera' is not a movie about immaculate conception. Long story short, her boyfriend made a love explosion on her leg and some of the little sperm guys got inside and got her pregnant. Kinda wild, heh? I apologize for the graphic description.
The best aspect about the film is the acting. Jesse Garcia, namely, is outstanding as the black-sheep openly-gay cousin, Carlos. Emily Rios is equally as powerful as the main character, and Chalo Gonzalez is heart-warming as the non-judgemental uncle. Glatzer and Westmoreland's directing is decent, and their screenplay rings true. The film has flaws, namely it lags during the middle, and the gay neighbor sub-plot seems a bit thrown together. However, in the end 'Quinceanera' pulls itself together to send a positive message of tolerance. Grade: B