East Side Story [2006] [DVD]

Good film

East Side Story [2006 ]This is a feel-good movie about a Mexican man (Diego) who lives and works for his grandmother in the Mexican area of LA. He is in a non-relationship with a Mexican real estate broker (Pablo), who is in denial about being gay.The area in which he lives is becoming fashionable with gays, and it is when a white couple move in over the road that the story really starts up.The development of the story between the older of the two new neighbours (Wes) and Diego is played out against Wes's boyfriend increasing jealousy, Diego's attempts to leave LA to open a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix, and the return of his aunt from Europe ("I am still on Monaco time").It's a well-balanced movie and although the outcome is not certain until the end, everything works out.

There must be a certain kind of film maker who decides to make a gay comedy, and, thinking what a laugh it will be, jots down a plot outline: how about a closet case "A" (Pablo, an estate agent) is partnering a would-be out gay ready-for-relationship "B" (Diego) who all but runs a restaurant, strictly his grandmother's, in East Side, LA where being gay is not really accepted. "A" gets his kicks playing fantasy games. "B" humours him but longs to move to Phoenix and open his own restaurant. In move a couple "C" and "D" across the road, hoping maybe for property prices to rise as as move in. "D" is a stereotype jealous and camp screamer, "C" is your neighbourhood hunk and comfortable in his skin. What if "B" falls for "C", if "D" stomps off in a queeny hissy fit, if "A" gets engaged to wouldbe sexy "E" (Sabrina), the aunt of "B", the aunt being unaware tat "A" it's at the very least bisexual? Oh yawn. It's comedy painting by numbers, redeemed only by "B" (Diego) being good-looking.

I am surprised that this film has had such mixed reviews. Sure the cover suggests soft porn, which it is not, and to that extent the marketing people can be criticised. However, I bought the film for the storyline, which I thoroughly enjoyed. There are not many films that I enjoy re-watching, but this is one of them. I guess I go for cute Latinos!

Happy

Cute take of budding romance on the 'love may be right under your nose' theme with a Latino twist.

I watched the preview and was expecting a feel good movie. I suppose that's what it is and the actors do their best with the script but I struggled to watch it to the end. Just not that interesting. It could have been either a lot more socially aware or a lot more entertaining and it was just light weight. And above all don't buy it if you want to see men fooling about like the ones on the cover because there is very little of that!

EXCELLENT STORY LINE BUT 1 or 2 SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD WERE TO GO WITH MORE FORCE.