If you read the director bio here, you will see that Joseph Vasquez had a deep understanding of the world he portrays in this rough, gritty film about a violent gang war. In the early 90's the Bronx was still a desolate place. That landscape is captured perfectly in this intensely atmospheric movie that features some great location shooting. Vasquez does a fine job, casting himself in the lead role of Tito, owner of a seedy strip club in the South Bronx, who makes a living by selling crack to the locals in his run down neighborhood. He's no angel, but he does possess a code of honor among his friends, and he values family. And because of that quality, he doesn't object when the sister of his girlfriend asks to movie in with them, after winding up on the street. Tito should have realized that nobody ends up on the street without a reason, but he decides to trust her. and that begins a chain reaction that will destroy almost everyone in his circle. One of the finest things about this movie is how the characters are fleshed out; nobody is a one dimensional bad guy, and nobody seems to be a saint either. And that is what makes "Bronx War" so realistic. And when the leader of the rival black gang, Caesar, accuses his girl's sister of stealing 40k worth of heroin, all Hell breaks loose.
This is true "independent cinema," the kind of film they just don't make anymore. The almost non-existent budget actually works in the movie's favor, giving it an almost documentary feel. The largely amateur cast all turn in intensely dedicated and passionate performances. There are a few intentionally comic one liners, but other than that, things are played straight and serious throughout. The tension builds through increasingly violent encounters between the rival gangs, and in the last third it erupts in an all out street war that turns the South Bronx into the Wild West. The shootings and stabbings are realistic looking and bloody, but this isn't really an exploitation film. Sadly director Joseph Vasquez died at only 33 years old, after a short life that seemed to be as chaotic as the lives of the characters he created in his films. "Bronx War" is a rare title, but there is a dvd that is out of print. This is an unknown film that deserves to be rediscovered. It's also one of the few films out there about Puerto Rican gangs, so those interested in the subject matter should look for this movie. "Bronx War" would make a great double feature alongside "Mixed Blood," as they cover similar territory. Great old-school New York movie!
