Quinceañera Review
By David Kempler
Immaculate Conception?
Together we will triumph
"Quinceañera" is a coming-of-age story that caught me off-guard. I'm not certain what I was expecting but it wasn't what I got. This does not mean I was disappointed. It also doesn't mean I was elated. What I was, for the most part, was an observer of a fairly serene movie. Even though there was the requisite conflict, it wasn't edge-of-your-seat thrilling. At the same time it wasn't boring, moving along at a moderate pace. It should be obvious that I did not love or hate it. I experienced it.
The proceedings are set in Echo Park, a predominantly Mexican suburb of Los Angeles that I have actually spent a lot of time in although, to be fair, most of that time was spent just passing through. Some excellent Mexican restaurants if you ever do find yourself there. The story centers on one girl's upcoming 15th birthday celebration, a rite of passage in that community. Magdalena (Emily Rios) is that girl and she is the daughter of Ernesto (Jesus Castanos-Chima), a preacher who has his own storefront church in Echo Park.
Weeks before the anticipated celebration everything starts to unravel for Magdalena because she becomes pregnant from her boyfriend Herman (J.R. Cruz), or does she? Her father is greatly ashamed and she takes up residence with her great-uncle Tomas (Chalo Gonzalez) and her cousin Carlos (Jesse Garcia), who has been tossed out for being a rebel and for some other reasons as well. Only when this threesome is thrown together does the film feel genuine and at least a little bit stirring.
"Quinceañera" is co-written and co-directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, both relative newcomers. Their newness to the business is something they share with the vast majority of the cast, who are almost all first-timers or near first-timers. The notable exception is Chalo Gonzalez, a screen veteran who did some work in the late 60's and 70's, most notably with Sam Peckinpah.
If you want to experience a slice of life of Mexican Los Angeles, "Quinceañera" is worth your while. The slice will not fill you nor leave you hungry.
