RAISING VICTOR VARGAS “What keeps [the film] from becoming …Respect is what distinguishes maudlin is the completely unaffected Directed by Peter Sollett; written by "Vargas" from most film depictions of performances of the actors.” Mr. Sollett, based on a story by Mr. teenagers. In the same way that Victor Sollett and Eva Vives; director of learns to respect his elders, respect “It also helps the film's air of photography, ; edited by girls and respect himself, Sollett authenticity that the characters Myron Kerstein; music by Roy respects his characters and his undergo only the subtlest of Nathanson and Bill Ware; production audience. transformations. Victor complies with designer, Judy Becker; produced by his grandmother's request to go to Alain de la Mata, Robin O'Hara, Scott church, and she listens when he urges Macaulay and Mr. Sollett; released by Kauffmann, Stanley, New Republic, her to stop babying Nino. Judy comes Samuel Goldwyn Films/Fireworks 4/21/2003, Vol. 228, Issue 15/16 over for a tense, brutally revealing Pictures. Running time: 88 minutes. dinner with Victor's family. The ending This film is rated R. “Raising Victor Vargas is about Latino is not exactly happy, but it is upbeat; teenagers on the of like most families, the one raising WITH: , and as we learn this, we Victor Vargas seems destined to (Victor) brace ourselves for tedium. But the muddle through. Grandma heeds Victor's request to unlock the phone. Judy Marte (Judy) tension soon relaxes because these And when Vicky gets up to call Carlos, (Melonie) teenagers themselves are appealing. This is Sollett's first feature film…and her grandmother doesn't try to break Altagracia Guzman (Grandma) it shows… his ability to evoke the connection.” Silvestre Rasuk (Nino) character, in a kind of sidewise Krystal Rodriguez (Vicki) offhand way, and to create a sense of Kevin Rivera (Harold) community both within and around the Stephanie Zacharek Salon.com Wilfree Vasquez (Carlos) film.” Donna Maldonado (Donna) “The jury is still out on whether Sollett Alexander Garcia (Al) “The story is agreeably negligible. has a great filmmaker's eye. But for John Ramos (Macho) Sollett is less concerned with plot now, he shows something that's twists than with moderate action that infinitely more valuable in a young will reveal his people.” filmmaker. Aside from a bit of Kerr, Philip, Allardice, Lisa, New intentionally jiggly camerawork, Sollett Statesman, 9/29/2003 “In an environment where boyfriend doesn't seem to care about novel and girlfriend are identification tags, camera angles and cool cutting. In “This touching little film, much of it licenses for intimacy, Victor and Judy fact, I barely remember the cutting in improvised by non-professional discover that there is more to their "Raising Victor Vargas" at all. The actors, makes a very pleasant change attraction for each other than the scenes are joined smoothly and from the cynical crop of recent youth- usual dating. Set in a context of daily seamlessly, carried by the story's oriented movies I've been obliged to tugs and troubles with Victor's characters and the relationships sit through. If the film has a fault, it's younger brother and sister and their between them. Sollett trusts that they'll that there's too much improvisation friends, the film is about the discovery be enough to engage us, and they and maybe not enough scripted of love.” are. "Raising Victor Vargas" is a storyline. But there's still much to modest and tightly focused picture, admire and the two leads, Victor “The appeal of the film grows from the and its very directness makes it Rasuk and Judy Marte, turn in finely two leading actors. Victor Resuk is piercingly intimate.” nuanced performances.” funny, moody, hungry in the leading role, and