Manito

Here is a film (along with "City of God") that explores a violent world infested by drugs--and uses a cast of non-professional actors. Shot for much less money than the Brazilian masterpiece, Manito is something of a "minor masterpiece". I had heard that the images and editing are jarring. But I discovered it to be, on the contrary, a beautifully photographed film, the grain structure of which reminded me of 8mm Ecktachrome stocks from the 1960s...Furthermore, the camera choreography is a daring risk to mimick the exuberance of a passionate family in the throes of a tumultuous celebration that turns to tragedy. This is a style that could not be more perfectly suited to the material. The highest compliment one can say about these incredibly brutal yet beautiful images is that nothing like this has ever been seen before. "Manito" is better than virtually every other film made in America this year. That's not saying a whole hell of lot in year that has given us one bomb after the next. But "Manito" is a significant achievement.

Here is an involving family drama that refuses to be categorized. Is it a Dogme film? Is it an experimental work? Is it an offspring of Cassevettes? Of Scorsese? Of Sidney Lumet? Is it a foreign film shot in America? Is it a piece of verite filmmaking? Or is it more rooted in Documentary?

Set in a Manhattan Latino neighborhood, the story sets out with a very broad canvass, filled with the colors from all aspects of its world. The technique is at first documentary and little by little becomes something that feels more familiar. As if the filmmaker decided to trick you in to the story through some kind of visual artiface afterwhich you are so engrossed, you no longer are concerned with imagery but only for the characters.

The story has no less than ten very memorable scenes. My favorites were the big graduation party that seemed truly captured (and not staged). There is also a scene in a prison that was one of the most emotionally moving moments I've experienced in a long time.

If the film has a flaw, its that the story feels too unremittingly bleak in the end. I'm not suggesting that I wanted a happy ending. But, I did feel like the director was overally hellbent on proving his dark view of the world.

I give this film a 9/10 and highly recommend it to people who enjoy Art films and World Cinema. (If you are a glossy Speilberg, this film is not for you)

I just watched this film for my Latin-American Cinemas class. I wasn't overly impressed with "Manito," but it is a good film with a realistic, inspired feel. I can tell Eric Eason based the script on real-life experiences, and didn't simply recycle old Hollywood crap. The narrative definitely has uniqueness. The scene on the subway train, where Manny is with his girlfriend and two hoodlums taunt them, is an extremely powerful scene with no cheap cinematic devices. Since it's shot guerilla-style on hand-held digital camera (don't quote me if I'm wrong), there are no pretentious extreme close-ups or anything like that. We're simply taken in by the drama of the situation. The acting is good, though I don't suppose many of the actors were playing characters that drifted from their regular personalities. Franky G, who plays the lead, is a fine actor and it's nice to see that he moved onto bigger movies like "Confidence" and "The Italian Job." All in all, the film is not highly memorable, but it was written and directed from the heart, which is what I appreciated and why I could forgive little flaws like the clumsy lighting (since most of it was natural light that really didn't do the job). Also, I could've done without the heavy-handed symbolism of the train coming in during the opening titles and moving out at the conclusion.

My score: 7 (out of 10)

This is the story of two brothers in a Latino area of a big city. The older brother has just been released from prison and is determined not to let his younger brother, Manny (the title is an affectionate nickname), follow the same path. Manny has excelled in school and is graduating from high school, but he is not home free yet.

The film takes place over 48 hours, and was filmed in 25 days in a gritty, documentary style. The actors were mostly new to film, which probably added to the realism. It's the performances that make this film, which won a Special Jury Prize for ensemble acting at Sundance. As is often the case, it's not an easy film to watch, but it's worth it. Seen at Cinequest (the San Jose, CA film festival) on 2/24/2002.

"Manito" tells of urban life in a NYC Puerto Rican hood as it follows a buff ex-con, Junior (Franky G), and his little bro, Manny (Minaya), as Manny graduates High School only to see his dreams for the future derailed. You'll find little story in this open-ended slice-of-life-in-da-hood flick which is quick to get down and dirty with family issues and personal problems. What story is in this short 78 minute flick is nothing we haven't seen before but it is very well done, especially for an indie. With kudos from all corners, "Manito" may not be for the public at large but it's grit and realism, good jiggle cam work, ethnic music, and convincing performances make it a rock solid little movie. Recommended for anyone into indie "street" flicks. Mostly English with subs for the Spanish and no CC's. (B)