By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Richard Glatzer | Wash Westmoreland
Starring: Chalo González | Emily Rios | Jesse Garcia
Country: united_states
Year: 2006
Running time: 90
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0451176/
Michael says: “Sometimes a movie receives accolades and hype that makes you pause and scratch your head. QUINCEAÑERA
took the audience and Jury Prizes for Best Dramatic Feature at Sundance earlier this year. It’s not that Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland’s follow-up to THE FLUFFER is a bad film. On the contrary, it’s quite enjoyable, pretty sweet, and features some good performances. But it’s definitely not a great film, and receive such a prestigious award at Sundance, one would hope that it’s a great film.
“Magdalena is nearing her fifteenth birthday when she will celebrate her quinceañera, a traditional ball of sorts in the Latino culture. Her father is a preacher, who does not want to spend a lot of money of extravagances such as a limo to bring her to the party, and a new dress. When she is being fitted to have alterations made on her best friend’s hand-me-down dress, her waistline seems to be increasing, despite the fact that she hasn’t been eating any more than usual. Much to her surprise, it soon becomes apparent that Magdalena is pregnant, despite that fact that she has never had intercourse. Her father reacts poorly
and Magdalena flees to the home of her Uncle Tomas where her gay cousin Carlos also lives. Carlos has become involved with the gay couple who own the property that they live on, a storyline that introduces the idea of gentrification of Echo Park, the neighborhood in Los Angeles where they all live.
“Emily Rios is delightful as Magdalena, and her storyline provides the main thrust of the film. While Jesse Garcia is also good as Carlos, his journey with the gay couple next door is stilted and takes away from the film. Chalo González is delightful as Uncle Tomas, representing the traditional ways of the past that are now in danger of extinction. QUINCEAÑERA paints a lovely, realistic picture of the Echo Park neighborhood, but its superficial handling of the complex situation of a changing neighborhood ultimately takes away from what could have been a far better film. 3 cats.”