Review of Chop Shop (2008) by Jon G — 30 May 2009
An impressive work from up and coming filmmaker Ramin Bahrani (Man Push Cart, Goodbye Solo). Young Alejandro is an orphan who toils away in an Queens auto-body repair shop hoping to one day scrape up enough cash to purchase a concessions vehicle; a dream he shares with his older sister Isamar.
In a style that echoes Italian Neo-Realism, we grow accustomed to Ale's daily routine, his interactions, his hopes and fears. Nothing is glorified here; no flashy camera tricks, no superficial melodrama.
.. just people living day to day. An uncompromising work, Chop Shop does what most films about young people cannot do: capture them in their element, playful and carefree while not sparing them the ills of the surrounding adult world.
Bahrani, like David Gordon Green or the Brothers Dardenne, doesn't load his film with the usual indie film exploits because frankly he cares too much for his characters.
This review of Chop Shop (2008) was written by Jon G on 30 May 2009.
Chop Shop has generally received positive reviews.
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