Malachance (2004)

User Rating:

3.5/10   

Director:

Gerardo Naranjo

Writer:

Gerardo Naranjo (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

The Story of A Kid who wanted to be Somebody Else. |

Cast

James Ransone	...	Mika
Stewart Skelton	...	Stranger
Brandon Quinn	...	Ringo
Greg Wayne	...	Sal
Nancy Anne Ridder	...	Laura
Yevgeni Lazarev	...	Mr. Karmin
Jena Romano	...	Gina
Robert Phelps	...	The Dutch
Roger E. Fanter	...	Big George
Veronica Chanel	...	Rachel (as Veronica Zane Chanel)
Katherine Anderson	...	Marla
Brian Casey	...	Batoun
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Eduardo R. Andrade	...	Greyhound Bus Driver
Renee Simon Aviles	...	Greyhound Clerk #1
Vahe Bejan	...	Papas
Alwin Bell	...	Monte
Jason Brown	...	Sidewalk Fight #2
Alan Charof	...	Don Miller
Charles Ferrara	...	Liquer Store Clerk
Brian Fox	...	Homeless #1
Brad Gooding	...	NY Apt. Manager
Corrine Kason	...	Woman on Bus
Mikal P. Lazarev	...	Mireille
Gary Wayne May Jr.	...	Sidewalk Fight #1
Kevin T. McCarthy	...	Stripes
Joseph Meissner	...	Sidewalk Fight #3
Gerardo Naranjo	...	Ramirez Brother #2
Victor Pagan	...	Homeless #2
Antonino Paone	...	Ramirez Brother #1
Terry L. Parker	...	Greyhound Clerk #2
Veronica Russell	...	Sidewalk Fight #4
Steve Short	...	Cop

Runtime:

Mexico:87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Perro Negro Productions

El primo has done it (Don´t make waves) (spoilers inside)

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

Well I took the chance of seeing this movie yesterday in a festival in Mexico City, the whole thing was sponsor by a major theatrical cinema chain, The Theater was packed and the crowd gave Gerardo a very warm welcome. I have known him since probably six years go, in which he always promised himself and the rest of the friends a movie soon. The dream was over yesterday as the show started, I was more than happy to be part of his history.

Malachance is what I like to call "Author Cinema", his movie cannot be define by one genre only nor can easily be compare to anything that Mexican cinema used to produce, the movie has it's very own pace, it's characters and a sincere tribute to his dearly beloved influences. Between the original films by maverick film director Jim Jarmush (the movie clearly has some reference to the American icon), a little bit of Hal Hartley, and a road movie. The movie concerns 3 friends, their daily lives and worries. Minka, Sal and Ringo (the three of them in a very solid performance). The movie from my commercial view could use a little editing to keep its pace.

Minka wants a new life, give up his days a small dealer working for a character named "The Dutch". Sal constantly worries about his sister whereabouts and sleeps in school buses. Ringo has no job and no occupation, no life, he only dreams to get into the dealing with Minka. When a terrible accident crosses the path of the friends, friendships are torn out and the destiny of the 3 of them is sadly (??) united. Minka leaves the city in a particular quest that takes him to New York City. The cinematography is a greatly achieve, from the colors to the camera movements, Gerardo has work his way like a professional. This movie is poetry as some other friend pointed out, it's quite an intimate experience, and it deals with the tormented heart of a young man, searching for a peace of mind. To sum up see this movie, Gerardo truly has some skills, he will hear more from him the future I'm sure.