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Washington Heights

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Washington Heights (2003)

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Reviews Counted:38

Fresh:30

Rotten:8

Average Rating:6.1/10

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for language, sexuality, brief violence and drug use

Runtime: 85 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:May 9, 2003 Limited

Synopsis: Alfredo de Villa's energetic debut pays tribute to one of Manhattan's more notorious neighborhoods, the predominantly Dominican Washington Heights. Carlos Ramirez (Manny Perez), an aspiring comic... Alfredo de Villa's energetic debut pays tribute to one of Manhattan's more notorious neighborhoods, the predominantly Dominican Washington Heights. Carlos Ramirez (Manny Perez), an aspiring comic book artist, has dreams of moving downtown and establishing a new life for himself, but his girlfriend, Maggie (Andrea Navedo), is growing tired of his lack of consideration for her own work. When Carlos's father, Eddie (Tomas Milian), is shot at his deli, Carlos is forced to put his dreams aside to keep the business afloat. Meanwhile, Carlos's best friend, Mickey (Danny Hoch), has dreams of his own. Desperate to find enough cash to get to a bowling tournament in Las Vegas, Mickey ends up stealing from Maggie's dangerous brother, Angel (Bobby Cannavale). Just when Carlos sells some work and sees some light at the end of the tunnel, Angel brings yet another sobering dose of reality to the situation. Based on an idea by Perez, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS was scripted by de Villa and Nat Moss, with dialogue help from acclaimed writer Junot Diaz. The result is a picture that bristles with honesty and vitality. Shot on digital video with a minimal budget, WASHINGTON HEIGHTS is packed with utterly convincing, powerful performances. [More]

Starring: Tomas Milian, Manny Perez, Danny Hoch, Jude Ciccolella

Starring: Tomas Milian, Manny Perez, Danny Hoch, Jude Ciccolella, Andrea Navedo, Bobby Cannavale

Director: Alfredo de Villa

Director: Alfredo de Villa
Screenwriter: Alfredo de Villa, Nat Moss
Story: Manny Perez
Producer: Luis Dantas, Manny Perez, Tom Donahue, Alfredo de Villa
Studio: Mac Releasing

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Nov 4, 2003

No Details Exist
 
 

Reviews for Washington Heights

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1 - 20 (sorted by source)
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Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

Washington Heights is sloppy and often undernourished, but it convincingly creates a neighborhood throbbing with activity and caring.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
07/23/03
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Eleanor Ringel Gillespie
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
10/30/03
Cathy Vaughan
Cathy Vaughan
Austin Chronicle

Its depiction of life sidesteps cliché, sticking to the borough of real and plausible human emotion.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
05/16/03
Dan DiClerico
Dan DiClerico
Boxoffice Magazine

De Villa's debut film is persuasively written and acted, if a tad rougher around the edges than one might wish.

Full Review Source: Christian Science Monitor | comment Comment
05/08/03
David Sterritt
David Sterritt
Christian Science Monitor

Makes the most of its low budget and has an abundance of heart to boot.

Full Review Source: Citysearch | comment Comment
05/08/03
Bill Pearis
Bill Pearis
Citysearch

Burns with authenticity.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
04/08/03
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

A promising debut that makes us anticipate this Columbia University film grad's sophomore work.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
07/31/03
Jane Sumner
Jane Sumner
Dallas Morning News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Deserves a wide audience hungry for sympathetic, three-dimensional people caught up in something bigger than themselves.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
07/21/03
Michael Booth
Michael Booth
Denver Post

Washington Heights may not always be great, but director Alfredo de Villa lights an undeniable fire in the movie's belly.

Full Review Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News | comment Comment
07/19/03
Robert Denerstein
Robert Denerstein
Denver Rocky Mountain News
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

No review available.

comment Comment
09/09/05
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

Sincere but amateurishly filmed urban tale marked by some nice performances.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
05/10/03
David Noh
David Noh
Film Journal International

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat

A powerful no-frills drama.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/08/02
Merle Bertrand
Merle Bertrand
Film Threat

Desperate... to please, to be urban-authentic.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
05/18/03
Pete Croatto
Pete Croatto
Filmcritic.com

When the film shows the awkwardness of the lead's caregiver relationship with his cranky father, De Villa finds material that's compelling, but such complications as the girlfriend's violent brother going ballistic and tragedy ensuing are rugged cliches.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
08/24/02
David Hunter
David Hunter
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
07/21/05
Houston Chronicle

One wishes the turns of Carlos' life felt more like life and less like a movie.

Full Review Source: L.A. Weekly | comment Comment
07/09/03
Chuck Wilson
Chuck Wilson
L.A. Weekly

De Villa has a light touch that instills the film with a certain charm that saves the day

Full Review Source: Las Vegas CityLife | comment Comment
05/21/04
Matt Kelemen
Matt Kelemen
Las Vegas CityLife

The film has an urgency and assured street-level realism that is rare for any film, let alone one by a first-time director.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Weekly | comment Comment
09/06/03
Josh Bell
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly

Often engaging.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
07/11/03
Evan Henerson
Evan Henerson
Los Angeles Daily News
 
 
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