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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Music By The Numbers--Leguizamo And Company Want To Put On A Show!, March 18, 2007
John Leguizamo is an engaging performer and perhaps one of our most underrated personalities. His willingness to take risks and unconventional roles has led to a more diverse film career than you might expect. Unfortunately, more often than not, these choices have taken him down a dubious path. With a resume littered with more interesting "misses" than artistically successful films, Leguizamo still manages to stand out as a talent--his bravado and gusto usually the best thing in a picture that has misfired. His presence in "Sueno," therefore, is a welcome sight--for if ever there was a picture that needed "edge," it's this sweet little concoction.
A throwback to more innocent times (although contemporary in setting), "Sueno" is a standard underdog story. Lovable Leguizamo, perhaps too subdued in this performance, is a talented musician looking to get his big break. As a Mexican immigrant, breaking into and succeeding in the Los Angeles musical arena is tantamount to living the American dream. Lucky for him, then, that there is a Latin radio contest (a battle of the bands) that will give its winner much exposure. As you might expect, Leguizamo now has to bring together a group of misfit musicians to form "the next big sound." Of course, the film provides a stock villain in a rival and unnecessarily ruthless musician--hmmm, I wonder if they'll have a showdown on stage? Sprinkle in some romance, slap on a tidy ending--and it's an undeniably pleasant crowd pleaser! Maybe, but one that holds no surprises and no original ideas.
It's hard not to have some fondness for a film that turns the gritty urban music scene into something that rivals the "Aw shucks, let's put on a show!" mentality of an old Mickey Rooney classic. Because "Sueno" is fantasy, pure and simple. And if the main narrative of the film doesn't convince you of this fact, the awkwardly inserted and whimsical musical numbers should do the trick. These numbers provide some entertainment factor, but I would contend that they are not particularly well integrated and therefore seem to be visiting from a completely different film. Still, if you're looking for something with moderate charms and superficial entertainment value--you could do worse than "Sueno." If, however, you're looking for something more enduring or memorable--go ahead and keep looking.
Slight and unassuming, there isn't anything in "Sueno" that you haven't seen before--many times. But with likable leads in Elizabeth Pena (as an unlikely lead singer) and Leguizamo, musical interludes, and a pleasant soundtrack--I suspect many will embrace this film. But like a snow cone on a hot summer day, it's sweetness may be refreshing in the now--but, ultimately, it may leave you with an underlying need for something more substantial and/or satisfying. KGHarris, 03/07.
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8 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
The Impossible Dream Meets Over the Rainbow, January 19, 2006
When film credits don't include the writer/s names, problems can be expected. This little candy-coated attempt to explore how 'dreams really do come true' is more a music video than a full fledged film, a project where obviously the money was spent on the graphics of the opening credits and the staged musical numbers rather than on the script. This is not a bad movie: it is just predictably trite and places lines in the mouths of some very fine actors that must have been an embarrassment to speak.
Antonio (John Leguizamo, with lots of hair and none of his expected comedic edge) is a Mexican immigrant who lands in Los Angeles with his grandfather's philosophy to follow that dream (`Sueño') and believes he will find his major career in his music. Reality sets in immediately as he is forced to work in his uncle's Taco Stand and play his guitar and sing in sleazy deadbeat nightclubs. He meets a customer Nina (Ana Claudia Talancón) who dreams of becoming a veterinarian but is committed to caring for her ailing papa (Winston J. Rocha). Despite sweet Antonio's attempts to woo her, she remains adamant that she must devote her life to caring for papa. Next door to Anthony the apartment is occupied by Mirabella (Elizabeth Peña), a newly divorced, middle-aged pudgy ex-singer who does housekeeping and laundry to support her children while she dreams of once again becoming a star vocalist: again the heart of gold Antonio befriends her, hears her sing and insists she has great talent.
Antonio is encouraged by a good-hearted 'manager' Rafael (Jsu Garcia) and is paired with three other musicians to form a group El Gran Colectivo with the hesitant Mirabella as vocalist. There is the requisite Music Group Competition where against all odds the group competes out of faith and devotion to each other and the old type of music. That everyone's dream comes true is no surprise at all: the plot is so thin that the audience knows from the start how everything will resolve 'in a land where troubles melt like lemon drops...'.
The idea is sweet, the message is wholesome, and the strong cast does everything it can with the treacle of a script hampering them. But unless you have an appetite for candy and can wait for the occasional surrealism of the dream sequences, this venture may just put you in sugar overload. Grady Harp, January 06
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2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just a Nice Little Film...With Terrific Music, December 20, 2006
Like most films that feature a lot of great music, the story itself here is nothing to get excited about. Even so, the acting is excellent, the story IS charming, and my wife got all misty about the romance aspect of it. Highly recommended as part of a romantic date night in...even if you've been married to your date for a while.
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