Stometer
Save your money for something good and enjoyable
Sexyloutak
Absolutely the worst movie.
Bob
This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.
wes-connors
"Victor doesn't have much, but that's not stopping him from trying to go out with Judy, the prettiest girl on the block. All he's got is hope and a one-bedroom apartment he shares with his family. His grandmother doesn't trust him, his brother worships him, and his half-sister just declared war. But Victor thinks love really can conquer all in this warm, genuine, and touching romantic comedy about life in the part of the city most people never see," according to the DVD sleeve's synopsis.Peter Sollett' "Raising Victor Vargas" elicits engaging "debut" performances from lead actor Victor Rasuk (as Victor Vargas) and the cast. Mr. Rasuk and juicy Judy Marte (as Judy Gonzalez) are sexy and endearing as "Lower East Side Kids" discovering the joy of sexual attraction. Considering how attractive they look in this picture, it's not hard to predict they hook up - and, although you may wonder how "innocent" they really are, their characterizations seem true.Victor's brother "Nino" is played by Victor's real-life brother Silvestre Rasuk, who looks the part his older brother is playing. Sometimes, it's nice to see movie brothers who actually look alike; and, hopefully they will work together again. "Cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs" sister Krystal Rodriguez (as Vicki) and old world Altagracia Guzman (as Grandma) round out the sex-starved Dominican immigrant family. So, are hand-held-camera coming-of-age films in vogue, or what? ******* Raising Victor Vargas (5/16/02) Peter Sollett ~ Victor Rasuk, July Marte, Silvestre Rasuk
Simone Navarotti
Not too dramatic, but still lively and entertaining. Realistic and human. Warm, good movie. I thought the characters were touchable. I especially liked the little brother's character. His younger sister was a lively depiction of everything we hate about little sisters. The grandmother's character was very believable, well played and dynamic. I felt myself feeling hopeful for the family when they were attempting "the new beginning". This movie was a mature, big step away from the stereotypical movies created featuring Hispanic people. It was also more intimate and more believable. I enjoyed it more than what I expected to. A nice movie.
Larry Miller
That this poor excuse for an amateur hour showcase was heralded at Sundance is a great example of what is wrong with most indie filmmakers these days.First of all, there is such a thing as the art of cinematography. Just picking up a 16mm camera and pointing it at whomever has a line does not make for a real movie.I guess we have to consider ourselves lucky the director didn't pick up someone's camcorder...Second, indie films are supposed to be about real people. There's nothing real in this film. None of the characters come across as being even remotely human.What they come across as being is figments of the imagination of a writer trying to impress his buddies by showing them how "cool and edgy" he is.Sorry, but this is not good writing, or good directing.What is left is a husk of a bad movie that somehow made its way to Sundance. Hard to believe this was one of the best films submitted...In any case, it made me loose what was left of my respect for the Sundance brand.
pds002
I thought the film was an excellent portrayal of urban life and the process of maturation in that environment. We watch Victor as he is forced to investigate his macho outlook, Judy does the same, and transform from a boy reenacting simulations of masculinity to a boy realizing the fallacies and inherent contradictions in those simulations. An excellent contemporary coming of age story with an interesting exploration of perceptions of gender as they exist in the inner city. Perhaps some may consider the themes trite, as the other reviewer has, however given the unchangeable nature of the themes Sollett deals with I don't think we can really complain. In the end he is successful in giving the theme of maturation a contemporary context that is comical and highly entertaining. I think most people will walk away satisfied from this movie.
