Review of Chop Shop (2008) by Daniel M — 18 Aug 2008

File it under â??Admired it More Than Liked It.â?? Ramin Bahraniâ??s verite-style film about a young boy living and working in a dilapidated Queens chop shop, reminiscent of Italian neo-realism in its use of non-professional actors and authentic locations to describe impoverished living conditions, begins with its most evocative shot: pre-teen Ale (Alejandro Polanco) searches for work as a day-laborer, while in the background we view the Manhattan skyline. With this shot, Bahrani outlines his theme with superb visual economy: Ale is alienated from the glossy New York City affluence that is more commonly the setting of films about the Big Apple. I immediately thought of Definitely, Maybe, a good film Iâ??ve recently seen about romance in the big city; this shot underlines how much of a fantasy that film is.

The image is echoed later when Ale and a friend watch a Mets game at a distance from Shea Stadium; again, Bahrani is concerned with the contrast between Aleâ??s life of poverty and the casual luxury just beyond. However, the filmâ??s languorous pacing and loose story structure make it a surprisingly long sit, even at under 90 minutes. Chop Shop is worth seeing, and itâ??s good for you, but it may leave you craving more flavorful cinematic cuisine.