Sunday, June 22, 2008

American Tragedy

Author(s): Pat
Location: New York

“American Tragedy”

Directed By Ryan Fleck
Written By Ryan Fleck and Jacob Aaron Estes

Principal Cast:

Gaius Charles (Richie Jones)
Anthony Mackie (Chris Rodrigues)
Gael Garcia Bernal (Gael Martinez)
Javier Bardem (Alejandro Quintante)
Danny Glover (Michael Jones)
Alicia Keys (Emily Arebole)
Alexa Vega (Diana Garcia)
Catherine Keener (Det. Harriet Glicksman)
Harry Lennix (Det. Jerrod Parks)
Irma P. Hall (Loretta Rodrigues)

Tagline: "Two young men, friends forever…or so it seems'

Synopsis: “Half-Nelson” writer/director Ryan Fleck teams up with “Mean Creek” scribe Jacob Aaron Estes to present this heartwrenching tale about two young men growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. The story begins when Richie (Gaius Charles) moves to a bad part of Los Angeles when his ex-cop father (Danny Glover) is forced to retire because of prostate cancer. He meets Chris Rodrigues (Anthony Mackie), the basketball star at the local high school and they quickly become friends. After a year of friendship Richie discovers that Chris is getting into the drug dealing business with the help of a Mexican distributor (Gael Garcia Bernal). Chris decides to spin the situation his way and is able to convince the naïve Richie to join him in the ranks of the Mexican drug ring, headed by a ruthless gangster (Javier Bardem). Chris begins to learn that Richie respects his opinion and decides to use that against his friend. The young man manipulates Richie into a relationship with the Boss’ niece (Alexa Vega), a girl who the Boss strict forbade to all the dealers. Chris, along with his ambitious girlfriend (Alicia Keys), puts events in motion that will lead to the demise of the boy he used to call his best friend. But things do not go as Chris planned when a pair of detectives (Catherine Keener, Harry Lennix) who are investigating the drug ring begin to question him about his involvement. Matters get worse for Chris when Richie learns of his friend’s deception and he decides to exact revenge. A final battle between so-called brothers ensues, which will stun and amaze with its ferocity and emotions. “American Tragedy” is a shocking portrayal of the increasing decadence of American society that must not be missed.

What the press would say:

Acclaimed filmmakers Ryan Fleck and Jacob Aaron Estes join forces in “American Tragedy”, the story of two best friends who become great enemies because of power and ambition. The script is full of raw dialogue and gritty (and sometimes uncomfortable) scenes, like when the Boss, stunningly played by Javier Bardem, discovers that Gael Garcia Bernal’s character has been stealing from him and decides to make him pay with his life in a very graphic way. Both of those actors deliver performances of terror and arrogance, respectively, which add another emotional aspect to the already gutwrenching main plot line. Catherine Keener gives a restrained and nuanced performance as a beleagured detective who wishes to see young men not involved with drugs. Alicia Keys shines as a devilish girlfriend who resembles Lady Macbeth in some aspects. But it is the two leads of this film who deserve the most attention. First is Gaius Charles (NBC’s “Friday Night Lights”) as Richie, a young man growing up where he shouldn’t be while realizing that even the closest friends can be deceiving. Charles’ conveys his characters shock and heartbreak amazingly in the scene where he learns that his best friend has set him up to die. Anthony Mackie provides the balance to Charles in the character of Chris, an ambitious drug dealer who will stop at nothing to become the top dealer. He slips into the most vile character in recent years so easily that it is scary. The cast, direction, script, and all other aspects of this film are astounding and deserve a great deal of attention.

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director-Ryan Fleck
Best Original Screenplay
Best Actor-Gaius Charles
Best Actor-Anthony Mackie
Best Supporting Actor-Javier Bardem
Best Supporting Actor-Gael Garcia Bernal
Best Supporting Actress-Catherine Keener
Best Supporting Actress-Alicia Keys
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing

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