Alberto and the Concrete Jungle (2020) User Reviews

A Love Letter to New York Beautifully Written

[tw-28396 · 8/10 · 25 October 2020]

New York is full of adventures and full of heart, and this film gives you both. It is not only an enjoyable watch; it is a love letter to New York beautifully written. Congratulations to director/writer Chris Shimojima for this terrific film and big congrats to the two brilliant leads, Alejandro Santoni and Julie Voshell.

Santoni, as Alberto, and Voshell, as Marina, share excellent chemistry; and both win the audience over with great performance. Santoni's work is funny and rich, which effortlessly keeps you with him over the 1.5-hour runtime; and Voshell, whose role is quite challenging to cast, did a great job not only in bringing charm to her role----you can see stories in her eyes and feel deeply connected in almost every moment. This film will for sure make you laugh; but besides all the moments, intense or ridiculous, good or bad, you will remember more after watching it: different cultures, colorful characters, interesting personalities, and the most touching element----human connections.

Quirky, Hilarious, Unexpected, Magical and Diversity at its finest!

[Elliezhugi · 8/10 · 24 October 2020]

The diverse acting, the music, the dialogues, the cinematography, the "endless" actors and extras and NYC as the backdrop are just some of the astonishing wonders of this film. An Indie film that doesn't seem Indie, it takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and adventures. A great representation of real New York with all the pretty and the ugly.

Postmodernism at its finest

[djpablosays · 10/10 · 25 October 2020]

Saw this online at the Bushwick film festival. By far did not expect anything like it.

I've been able to watch indie films at different film festivals over the years and they always seem to come in the same molds. The ones aiming for "prestige" focus on identity politics and stories that simply want you to empathize with some real lifestyle or socio group. I guess so they can pat themselves on the back for being so cultural. Now I'm not knocking that per say but where's the more nuanced messaging? Where's the actual real artistic perspective? Hopefully you get the chance to see this film because it has one.

Judging from some of the reviews here it sounds like a lot of people are stuck on the New York qualities and funny stuff and good acting. I thought all that was great too. Now obviously I can't speak for the filmmaker, but the real reason this film blew me away is how it reshapes conventions, parodies so many things, and makes fun of the art form itself. All in order to pinpoint our fallacies in glamorizing the modern traveler lifestyle that we see all over social media these days. And what's great is it doesn't tell you a clear socio-moral side, it just makes you aware of the inner conflict we may end up facing. Artistic statements like these are typically reserved for pure "intellectual" cinema - but here you get it in a full-on entertaining package. Please more of this and less Netflix genre fare.

Full of life and thoroughly entertaining

[klacy-70384 · 9/10 · 25 October 2020]

I enjoyed this movie from start to finish! Chris Shimojima does a wonderful job with snapshot views of NYC and lines of travel that give us a glimpse into Alberto Buenaventura's free spirit and wanderlust. Anyone who has spent any amount of time living in NYC will delight in the visual tour of NY's neighborhoods, with local characters and communities that are distinct and vibrant. Alejandro Santoni, who could be a twin of Lin Manuel Miranda, depicted Buenaventura with gusto and charm, drawing you in to his nomadic drive and insatiable curiosity to meet people in places all over the world. His encounter with the equal in strength Marina Giovanni Caron, wittingly played by Julie Voshell, brings a twist to the tale, with unpredictable turns of events layered with slightly more predictable (but engaging) mutual attraction. It takes time throughout the film to figure out their mutual goals and drives, in the hunt for "Z", but it comes together and is highly entertaining. Along the way, they connect with characters from all over, with standout performances by David Pendleton (Darles Chickens) and Rami Margron (Oprah). Voshell shines in her role as Marina, with strength in both her delivery and facial expressions that match Santoni and regularly one up him, which is amusing and delightful to watch. Shout out to whoever decided to have Alberto's cell phone alarm ring daily with a reminder to "call Mom". It made me laugh every time and was one of the many humanizing moments in this grand adventure.

This film is a wonderful journey that shows the adventurous spirit of one man, the celebration of community, and the tour de force that is NY in all its glorious fullness.

Inner struggle of romance vs adventure

[dsv-02479 · 9/10 · 26 October 2020]

The main character struggles between settling down versus continuing his adventurous lifestyle. Great film that keeps you intrigued till the end.

Wonderful quirky film showing the true beauty of NYC

[valeriecortier · 9/10 · 25 October 2020]

Adventure vs Home. A tale of a nomad who finds himself trapped in NYC unable to travel to his next adventure. This story was exciting and unpredictable. Watching lead actors, Santoni as Alberto and Voshell as Marina, wrestle with the question of living their previous lifestyle of travel or finally feeling like the found a place to be proved to be an emotional, funny, intense, and exciting journey brought to life. Does NYC and Marina's charm make Alberto settle down or does the call for adventure and spontaneity lure him away? You have to watch to find out! Highly recommend!!!

Compelling, Adventurous -- Irresistible!!

[gingergrace-64709 · 10/10 · 11 November 2020]

From the very first moment of Chris Shimojima's ALBERTO AND THE CONCRETE JUNGLE, I was riveted by a specificity in filmmaking that takes my breath away. With each character introduced, it captures an entire world residing within -- ominous, fascinating and hilarious and it's clear that with Alberto, adventure is inevitable. Throughout the film, his intoxicating perspecitve of "outsider," that everyone tries to batten down, has that stratospheric perspective, as if the camera were at an angle not quite reachable, not even quite findable by anyone else -- but nonetheless, pure intoxication. Intoxication within the limitless possibilities of New York City, what we can find ON THE SUBWAY, in the boroughs, with subversively thrilling spontaneous encounters that inform our whole life. There's just an obsessive wrestling with life -- inevitably knowing that in a moment everyone will be flying into uncharted territory -- that Alberto gives us the Courage to do. He's a Nomad. And life is intrinsically illuminated by people who have the audactiy to be a Nomad!

Heartwarming, Charming, and Funny. A love letter to NYC.

[miqueledemaria-61872 · 9/10 · 24 March 2022]

I really enjoyed this film. Alberto is a great main character, he has the spirit of adventure that we all wish we could have. As a constant and carefree traveller he personifies the type of people you feel envious and tend to despise because he has the freedom you crave. What happens when you remove the freedom?

Al is involved in an adventure that tests his ability to connect with other human beings. Each little chapter creates a little New York microcosm in a very grounded and at the same time surreal way. You believe these places are real, these people exist... because they do. The use of google earth is smart and original, the music and sound design is well achieved, and the love story is heartwarming and well crafted. This film grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go.

Fabulous acting - enjoyed every minute of the film!

[adechowitz · 10/10 · 24 October 2020]

From the minute you meet Alberto you love his quirky character and the story and writing pulls you in. Once he connects with Marina the chemistry is magic and the movie blends comedic and poignant moments with great dialogue and wonderful acting. The backdrop of NYC and the various flavors of all of the neighborhoods the characters visit further elevates the film and makes me nostalgic for pre-COVID NYC!

A Whirlwind Spin Through New York City

[megnsoll · 9/10 · 2 April 2022]

Great acting and an adventure with charming and vibrant characters, anyone with love or nostalgia for the city will enjoy. The heartfelt letter to NYC jumps off the screen and will reinvigorate even the most jaded and cynical viewers.

Great film that reminds you why you love NYC

[jpassaro-89607 · 9/10 · 2 April 2022]

It kind of reminds me of playing Spider-Man on PS5. This movie takes you around NYC away from the hustle and bustle that movies normally display and brings you into the lives of characters who behave like real New Yorkers. It reminds you that the charm of NYC comes from both the setting and the people. Its a great movie that left my wife and me with a great feeling.

Magical

[seaniannarone-38225 · 9/10 · 22 March 2022]

I thoroughly enjoyed this picture from start to finish! It's beautifully filmed, and the characters are fantastic. Their journey and story take you into an unforgettable world that will surely make you laugh and bring a smile to your face. Don't miss this one-of-a-kind adventure!

Momentum

[debrav-77517 · 10/10 · 26 October 2020]

This is an emotional whirlwind through New York City and the colorful characters within. The film is presented in segments and takes you into the urban jungle... into the different boroughs, and into some of its 'not for tourists' neighborhoods, apartments and homes, where you are introduced to the people whose connectedness make up the web of this story. The main character, Alberto is quirky and awkward, and while he is very funny, also shows his pain and struggle and ultimately his broad range as an actor. Alejandro Santoni is wonderful in this role, and has you engaged during every minute of the film. When it starts, the film has a staccato like feel.. its moving from chapter to chapter quickly, .. but when Marina, played by Julie Voshell, enters, the energy of the piece shifts into a more grounded, expansive state. Her character has a tough exterior, but throughout the movie you see and feel her vulnerability. Its in her words, her face, her eyes...Voshell is a great actress who has the capacity to bring you with her on the emotional ride. I knew what she was thinking, what she was feeling because I was feeling it too. Alberto and Marina have chemistry that is off the charts which added another dimension to this already fantastic screenplay and film. I can honestly say that their last scene together was one of the most honest moments that I have seen on film. This ran the gamut of emotion, of places, people and things.. and the director/writer Chris Shimojima challenges some of the boundaries of film making, and isn't it about time?? He brilliantly presents a sort of structured chaos, that for a split second was slightly disorienting, but then I realized that it was actually the momentum needed to tell and understand his story. Bravo!

Charming, Funny, Enjoyable

[jwdickens1-316-78233 · 9/10 · 24 October 2020]

Enjoyable film. Beautiful cinematography, great soundtrack, and compelling use of NYC, in all its diversity, grit and glamor, as a character in the story. The performance of Alejandro Santoni is a huge reason I enjoyed this film so much. Santoni's work is a testament to the actor's craft. It is deft, funny, poignant and rich. He creates a three dimensional, fully realized human being in the form of Alberto, the lead role in the film. Confronted by an absurd situation that puts continuous obstacles in his way, Alberto races to resolve the challenge he faces. Santoni portrays the full range of emotions Alberto surely experienced as he staggers and stumbles toward his goal. Julia Voshell, who plays Alberto's antagonist-turned friend and possible love interest, gives a strong performance, too. She and Santoni are compelling together on screen and share a believable chemistry as their relationship sparks and grows.

Wildly Entertaining, But Surprisingly Deep

[richklessig · 9/10 · 24 October 2020]

Don't know how he pulled it off. Entertaining, but so much more. Made me want to be alive.