Raising Victor Vargas (2003)
From the opening shot of young Victor
strutting his muscular body for our admiration, "Raising
Victor Vargas" captivates us with its stark reality
and its golden hued teenage sexuality. In many ways
it seems like a Hispanic version of "Kids."
But unlike that film, which shocked and stunned with
its realism, this film captivates and engrosses us.
The reality here is amazing. It
seems like the entire film is simply improvised. The
young actors are so relaxed and natural that we feel
almost like voyeurs peeping into their bedrooms and
eavesdroping on their dates. This is a stunning cast
and one that seemingly easily creates bold and complex
characters that engage and charm us.
Victor Rasuk is simply wonderful
as the title character. No doubt a charmer whose devastating
good looks aid him in his plight, Rasuk is not simply
a hunk. He's an actor of amazing ability and his soft
and vulnerable side, masked by his rippling teenage
body and shy smile, becomes exposed as we are allowed
entry into his life. But Victor isn't the only talented
actor in the Rasuk clan. His brother Silvestre (as
his brother Nino) is practically a carbon copy of
his older sibling. Silvestre is called upon to be
bold and unafraid in his role as the younger brother
and he performs admirably. We need to see his love
for Victor in every frame in which he appears and
it is unfailingly there.
Meanwhile there are amazingly realistic
performances from the females of all ages in the cast
as well. Judy Marte is exceptional as Judy, Victor's
love interest. Providing a rough yet beautiful exterior
with a deeply wounded soul practically luminescent
from her brown eyes, Marte is the perfect compliment
to Victor. Krystal Rodriguez is amazing as Victor's
little sister and Altagracia Guzman is perfection
as his Grandmother. These ladies of vastly different
age provide the perfect drama and tension for the
film without ever slipping into caricature or ridiculousness.
Anyone who thinks Lupe Ontivaros provided a realistic
example of a Hispanic mother in "Real
Women Have Curves" needs to see Guzman's work
here. She is simply stunning.
This is a wonderful and delightful
film. It's hard to understand just how wondrous and
amazing it is until you see it. It's rare to call
a drama "delightful" and yet this film is exactly
well described in that word. It takes the dusty squalor
of life in the poor Hispanic part of town in NYC and
makes it golden and beautiful. We love these characters
and the camera does as well. The sweaty sheen on Victor's
body makes him glisten like a Golden god. And the
empathy he garners from our attention is palpable.
What's so amazing here is how many
things go unsaid in the script yet are obviously there
and tangible anyway. This is a story about family
and love and sexuality and growing up and surviving
and it comes together so beautifully. Director Peter
Sollett's script, which he worked on with Eva Vives,
is poignant yet never forced. The relationships here
are strained and flawed and much of the love between
the people remains unspoken. Yet rarely have I seen
a film that was so full of love and so full of family
values. It is simply amazing what this film is able
to manifest without words, without overt plot, without
obvious drama.
"Raising Victor Vargas" was a big
hit at Sundance and after seeing it you will understand
why. This is what indie films are all about and Sollett
proves himself a talent worthy of note. His ability
to get such stunning pictures, such achingly honest
portrayals and such poignant moments on screen while
lensing his first feature using a cast of mainly unknowns
is simply extraordinary. "Raising Victor Vargas" will
be one of the very best films you will see this year.
Do not miss it.
Note:
In English and sparse Spanish.
The stunning cinematography is by
Tim Orr.
This film seems a continuation of
Sollett's first film, a 29 minute short also starring
Rasuk as a character named Victor called "Five Feet
High and Rising." Judy Mart and Donna Maldanado are
also in both films.
Viewed in Austin in March 2003
at the SXSW Film Festival
