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Washington
Heights, 2002, 80 minutes, Rated R
By Ramona Prioleau
Etched
out of the rolling hills of Northern Manhattan, the community of
Washington Heights has been home to the Irish, Jewish, Black and
Latino. It's a community that beckons because of its easy
accessibility to the New Jersey suburbs and easy commute to downtown
employment. Washington Heights, the film, beckons for slightly
different reasons. An audience favorite at festivals worldwide,
Heights' appeal stems from the father-son relationship it depicts
and the film's central "character."
The father-son dynamic paces the film and
reflects strife that pits immigrant machismo, community pride and
manual dexterity against second-generation assimilation and
freethinking.
This aspect is most effectively reflected in the
relationship between Carlos (Manny
Perez) and his dad, Eddie (Tomas Milian). Carlos, with his
magenta-tipped tresses and bohemian attire, is an aspiring comic
book artist who is repulsed by his pops.
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And no wonder, Carlos' poppa is something of a
rolling stone. Eddie has a reputation for changing women as often as
he changes his socks - a fact that Carlos despises. Because Carlos
possesses talent that distinguishes him from many in his neighborhood,
he projects a downtown aloofness while he traverses Washington
Heights' hilly terrain.
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When circumstance interferes with
Carlos' artistic pursuits, he must care for and confront his dad.
Although he's forced to detour from his chosen path, Carlos' art does
not suffer. In fact, it is enhanced. He begins drawing with a purpose
that demonstrates his distinctive voice and he reconnects with his
community.
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A community that Alfredo de Villa takes
pains to bring to life. In doing so, de Villa captures the film's most
significant "character." A character symbolized by diverse
individuals, distinctive architecture, lush vistas and socio-economic
disparities. The Washington Heights neighborhood is so well depicted
that the smell of cuchifritos mixed with the vibrant aroma of Cafe
Bustelo seem to emanate from the screen. Whether it's the
domino-playing viejos, loyal abuelas, morning serenity, midday strife
and nighttime passion, de Villa depicts the essence of a community
with boundless energy and promise.
M
May 2003
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