Liberty Kid (2007) User Reviews

Coming of Age in Post-9/11-Era New York City

[cspcsm8188 · 7/10 · 16 January 2012]

Liberty Kid tells the story of best friends Derrick and Tico, a pair of young Latinos struggling to make it in, and in Derrick's case out of, the tough streets of Brooklyn. Their lives are dramatically altered by the events of 9/11, leaving them without a job when Liberty Island is closed indefinitely. Tico is content to just "live in the moment," but Derrick has a "vision." But while their mentalities may point them in different directions, circumstances lead them back into the streets.

Writer-director Ilya Chaiken rounds out her characters very well and keeps the atmosphere subdued but very real. The soundtrack gives voice to Derrick and Tico's suppressed thoughts and feelings and the cinematography is without frills, taking care not to disturb the action and letting the story naturally unfold.

This is a small-budget film with a big heart that provides a window into the world of young urbanites coming of age in the post-9/11 era. Liberty Kid is an unsentimental realist portrayal that handles its subject matter with respect and without prejudice.

A slice of life, in NYC's tougher areas, is a well acted, quiet film

[UNOhwen · 19 October 2011]

Liberty Kids, by director Ilya Chaiken, stars Al Thomson, and Kareem Savinon, as Derrick, and Tico - two friends, coming of age, in New York City.

The story begins with them working on Liberty Island - two young men high school dropouts (Derrick just becoming the father to twins), who haven't made any real thought for their futures.

Their lives are changed, one day when the World Trade Center towers are attacked, and, Liberty Island is closed.

Out of work, the two friends take divergent paths. Derrick takes any job he can, to help support the twins. He goes to take his GED. Tico, takes another route. He's always looking to hustle. Whether its setting up a staged car crash - with Derrick's car as one to be used - for a possible 'big payoff,' or slinging drugs.

Both men find their lives getting harder. Derrick is much more the quiet of the two. Given where they're living...surviving, really, he tries to keep his head above the water.

He tries, and, even though he's not moving forward, he never complains, he just keeps trying.

One day, Tico's busted, slinging drugs, on a street corner, and, is sent away. Derrick stops in at an army recruiting station, and, the words he's told - how he's a grown man, with two kids, living with his 'mommy,' get to him.he wants to use the army for its promise of paying for college.

While Tico is in prison, Derrick is off in the mid-east.

Upon Tico's release, he finds out time's not been good to his friend. He's back home, but, he's nothing. He's homeless. Tico's girl wouldn't let Derrick be their child's godfather because of this.

Tico goes in search of Derrick, because, no matter what - he's still his best friend.

Liberty Kid doesn't end on a 'happy note.' However, it doesn't end on a sad note, either. It ends, as life just, continues to move forward.

I was so touched by Al Thomson's performance, for it's 'quietness.' There's no speechifying, no ' look at these kids, and their tough life' moralizing. Its a film that just quietly shows you what, unfortunately, is a life that's much too common.

Ms. Chaiken's film enwraps you slowly, with it's characters, and their lives. I've lived here, in NYC my whole life, and, while I knew they were just acting, the faces, the lives portrayed, are all too real.

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