I just saw this at the Chicago Latino Film festival and was blown away. The synopsis compared it to Mean Streets, a generic description that few film fail to live up to, but this one does and no doubt Scorcese himself would be proud. It's explosive, full of raw energy, great ensemble performances between boys and girls that feels more like a documentary than a film, and a love/hate relationship with the big apple who's energy drives the film and justifies the rapid editing. The film explores the relationship between two brother, one, a hardedned ex-con and ladies man, and his little brother, a sweet, innocent kid on his way to college, and one believes, towards a hopeful, succesful future. The brothers are the key to the film and both actors are brilliant, and give powerful, emotional performances without descending into obvious one-dimensionality. There is a scene on a train where the younger brother comes face to face with some thugs, every inner city dwellers nightmare, and it is one of the most suspenseful scenes I've ever seen, loaded with energy and danger. The camera work is very raw, but it is also one of the finest examples of a film being shot on D/V and transfered to film. A great debut and a must see.
