Customer Reviews

On the Downlow

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Gradually movie audiences are turning more serious attention to the little Independent films for quality and meaning in story and in style and in brave confrontation with issues outside the perimeter of the Hollywood style films. A fine example is this remarkable film by student Tadeo Garcia whose first year in film school produced the outline of this little gem of a movie and whose courageous 'first film' gained the respect of screenwriter Roger B. Domain who helped him transfer the skeletal story into a full length film ON THE DOWNLOW, all on a budget of $8,000.!

From the opening scenes we can sense that we are watching a love story, but it is a story of forbidden love: Angel (Michael Cortez) is escaping his Chicago street gang with the help of Isaac (Tony Sancho) and the two warmly human, supportive, sensitive young youths flee to the territory of Isaac's low neighborhood where Isaac convinces Angel to give up his allegiance to his former gang and pledge to Isaac's gang, a rasty group led by Reaper (Donato Cruz). Very gradually and with incredible decorum Garcia reveals to us that Angel and Isaac are lovers, the only time the union is shown physically is a prolonged kiss in an open night alley, an event which will trigger the force of destiny: it is enough as the scene is passionate yet gracefully not graphic.

The boys' mothers plead with them to not carry guns and to avoid gang alliance, but at the same time they lovingly accept their sons' sexuality. But life is as it is on the streets of south side Chicago and Angel is accepted into Isaac's gang, having to undergo the cruel initiation beating that accompanies his joining. Reaper is later informed that Angel is an ex-gang member of the rival gang and Isaac is the one Reaper determines should kill the offending Angel. The two lovers try to escape Chicago but the inevitable happens and the ending is tragic but with undertones that are subtly captured by Garcia's eye, mind, camera, and heart: the final confrontation scene ends with our enabled view of evidence that other members of the gang share the same 'on the downlow' as Angel and Isaac.

Not only are Tony Sancho and Michael Cortez wholly believable in their dichotomous roles, but the entire cast is filled with raw yet gifted talent: Felipe Camacho as the Priest, Beatriz Jamaica as Angel's mother and Carmen Cenko as Isaac's mother, Donato Cruz as Reaper, Adelina Quinones (a terrific screen presence) as Laura, and all the youngsters who convincingly bring the gang members to life. Yes, there are evidences of low budget constraints, but the overwhelming success of the story of two young men in love against the backdrop of hopelessness of crime is brilliant evidence that Tadeo Garcia is a gifted talent to watch. Recommended for all audiences. Grady Harp, February 07

It is cruel to give this film just three stars, because its heart, soul, and spirit are five stars. It is a must-see for any one who is looking for signs of intelligent life on the planet.

The credits tout its success in many film festivals. Only uneven pacing and an ending insufficiently violent to be satisfying mark this as an early work in someone's arc. This is Shakespearean tragedy, after all. The stage should be littered with corpses.

Some may want to stop reading here. Anyone who recognizes to which tragedy I refer, or who has seen West Side Story, may guess some of the ending.

The story is about two families, here as two Chicago gangs that are its members' families. A member of one gang has a member of the other as a lover, secretly. The second man wants to leave his gang, and join the other. If the gang he wants to join discovers him as a member of the other, he will be killed.

There are many other elements from Shakespeare's version included in this film, such as a reference to the famous masquerade ball from Shakespeare, as well as to the dance at the gym in West Side Story. I'll leave it to others to identify more, or to disagree with me.

I hope that the makers of the film have not read the play to which I refer; that would make the parallels downright spooky and even archetypal.

ok, i am a gay male, i lived in big cities, small towns,and everywhere in between,and have yet to hear anyone refer to thier special someone as "bro" gay or straight. the story is boring, the actors are boring, but at least i know what to give to someone i do not like for christmas.this is a step down from getting coal,at least coal has use like you can burn it for heat, or it will turn into a diamond, i advise to use it for heat ,you might be waiting for awhile if you chose the other

Low budget movie picture about love between two gangsta brothers.

There are many positive responses to it, but I ain't gonna echo them.

Poor quality of sound and picture doesn't help to enjoy it either. And the dialogues? I know that gangsta slang has own rights, but "f..." and "sh..." used as "commas" don't make the action move faster or the characters sound more realistic.

WELL WELL WELL ... What have we here!!!????!!!

OH OH I can answer that...

A very bad movie!!!!

Yes the guys were kinda cute.. the story line BAD..

IT DID NOT MAKE SENSE!!! AT ALLLLLL!!!

PLEASE DO NOT BUY THIS MOVIE.. RENT IT.. Im just trying to help you here...

The actors were like 4 out 5 stars for but the story and the picture were pretty good. I actually cried at the end man like what tha hell. Now I know I am not messing with no one from hood or whatever(its fiction BUT who says such dont exist?). I recommend it to anyone though

Thiz Movie was VURRY-Much-So on a Budget. I lyked that it was about Hispanic Characters. It shows'z what lyfe can B lyke on the DL N a Gang. Thiz Movie takez Place N Chicago. Weak Begining & Middle, Lots of Profanity & Explativvez, Good Ending!

Finally, a story about love between two masculine males in the hood without the obligatory homo stereotypes.

This is a film about two lovers who embrace their masculinity. I found the story line quite compelling - a hidden and forbidden relationship that draws to a tragic conclusion.

On the downside side, you can tell that the production is slightly amateur and low buget. The pace of the film is a bit slow in some spots - However- it is definitely worth viewing. A tragic romance about two rival gang bangers tastefully done!!!

You know, I solely brought the movie because of the gay themed issue because I like movies that I could relate to (even though I am not in a gang myself)....however, I expected bad acting and a bad plot as well, but it was surprisingly good, touching, and emotional. The actors were really into each other as well (whether they are gay in real life or not). It really makes you root for the main couple....

This galling film-maker takes time (before the opening credits even begin) to plaster his film-festival awards and accolades before your eyes. I guess the implication is that, if you don't like this film, then you must be wrong.

Well, then I must be wrong, because this poorly-paced, spottily-acted, amature film is remarkably unaffecting and pretty much pointless, unless you enjoy watching rival gang violence and lots of banal dialog. Then there is the horrendous ending. The comparisons to Romeo and Juliet are really unflattering to Romeo and Juliet. This is not Shakespeare, and isn't even mediocre.

I'd skip this one and try something else. Most gay movies, even cheapie indies, are far better than this.