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Quinceanera (2006)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted: 94
Fresh: 81
Rotten:13
Average Rating: 7.1/10
Consensus: This slice-of-life story of a teenage girl in Echo Park is both a sweet crowd-pleaser and a perceptive look at socioeconomic community issues.
Theatrical Release: Aug 4, 2006 Limited
Box Office: $1,540,873
Synopsis: Winner of the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, QUINCEAÑERA is a captivating tale of a teenager facing womanhood. Emily Rios gives a terrific performance as Magdalena, who wants everything... Winner of the Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival, QUINCEAÑERA is a captivating tale of a teenager facing womanhood. Emily Rios gives a terrific performance as Magdalena, who wants everything to be perfect for her quinceañera--the celebration of her 15th birthday. But her preacher father (Jesus Castaños-Chima) can't afford a new dress for her (instead, she has to wear a hand-me-down) and won't let her ride in a Hummer limo like her cousin Maria (Araceli Guzman-Rico) did for her party. Things become even worse when she gets pregnant--even though she swears she has never had sex with her boyfriend, Herman (J.R. Cruz), or anyone else. So Magdalena runs away to live with her great-uncle Tomas (Chalo Gonzalez as a gentle, sweet old man) and her cousin Carlos (Jesse Garcia), the troubled black sheep of the family who is curiously attracted to Tio Tomas's new gay landlords (David W. Ross and Jason L. Wood). As Magdalena's quinceañera approaches, so many changes--and secrets--threaten to tear her family apart. Written and directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, QUINCEAÑERA, which features both English and Spanish, is set in the Latino community of Echo Park, Los Angeles. The filmmakers used many nonprofessional actors, hiring people from the neighborhood and shooting scenes in their homes and backyards, giving the movie a touchingly realistic feel. The excellent soundtrack by Micko and Victor Bock furthers the immersion of the audience into this tight-knit community. [More]
Starring: Emily Rios, Jesse Garcia, Chalo Gonzalez, J.R. Cruz
Starring: Emily Rios, Jesse Garcia, Chalo Gonzalez, J.R. Cruz, Araceli Guzman-Rico, Jesus Castanos-Chima, David W. Ross
Director: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
Director: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
Screenwriter: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
Producer: Ann Clements
Composer: Micko, Victor Bock
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics
DVD Info
Release:
Jan 9, 2007
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- Keep Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1 - Spanish
- Dolby Digital Surround Sound - English, Portuguese
- Subtitles - English, French, Spanish, Portuguese - Optional
Additional Release Material:
- Commentaries - Filmmakers and Cast
- Featurettes - 1. Behind The Scenes - Making of Quinceañera
- 2. "Ms. Quince Anos"
- 3. "On The Red Carpet with Quinceañera"
Reviews for Quinceanera
This celebrated Sundance prizewinner doesn't look quite so special. Actually, it seems Very Special--as in one of those Very Special Episodes of an ongoing television series.
The writing is not always as developed as one would wish it, but this seems almost paltry in light of the dramatic truth and rivetingly real performances which are elicited.
(the writer-directors) fill their story with well-observed contrasts... Although 'Quinceanera' is full of distinctly Hispanic sounds and flavors, its themes of tolerance and understanding should apply to any culture.
The film is filled with heart and good humor, but there is a bit of edge to it as well.
The underwhelming drama contains echoes of so many other indie flicks that anything original is all but drowned out.
Though it doesn't ride quite as smoothly as that Hummer limo Magdalena fantasizes over, the film succeeds as a heartfelt slice-of-life examining a culture too often ignored in film.
Touching, charming and very engagingly played, it offers perceptive insights into LA Latino culture as well as solid, slightly old-fashioned entertainment.
Emily Rios is terrific as Magdalena, brilliantly capturing both her character's confusion and her determination to get on with her life.
The film is so appealing and so human (at least when it keeps its focus) that it's hard to resist its charms.
The storytelling remains less than satisfying, particularly the ending.
An unexpected self-portrait from a town that loves to tell stories about itself, often to the exclusion of the countless equally deserving dramas unfolding just a few blocks away.
The setting and the people in it make Quinceanera a party worth an RSVP.
Principals Emily Rios, Jesse Garcia and Chalo Gonzalez bring affecting authenticity to this tale of finding's one place.
Full of acute observations about the social changes and economic divisions that are present not just within the neighborhood but the cousins' own families.
Should be required viewing for the creator of 'Mallard Fillmore' and others who believe bilingualism is somehow a threat to U.S. security.
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