Review of Chop Shop (2008) by Walter M — 03 Mar 2008

[font=Century Gothic]"Chop Shop" starts with day laborers being hired by the side of the road in New York City but not the youngest one, Alejandro(Alejandro Polanco), who is looking for crawlspace work.(Why don't I like the sound of that?) He stows away but is soon discovered and is sent on his way with money for breakfast. While Alejandro's day usually consists of odd jobs(not attending school with other children of his age) including selling candy on the subway and pirated DVD's(and he is not above boosting the odd hubcap), he is based at one of the numerous auto body shops situated near Shea Stadium in Queens.(These same shops may soon be developed out of existence by the new ballpark being built.) He brings his older sister, Isamar(Isamar Gonzales), to live with him in the hope of saving up enough money to buy and run a food truck...[/font].

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[font=Century Gothic]"Chop Shop" is a heartrending movie told without comment or sentiment about people who fall through the cracks of society. But unlike others, Alejandro has a plan that goes beyond just living day to day but that takes money. And there is a certain symbolism in the pigeons and airplanes flying overhead.[/font].