Director: Ricardo de Montreuil
Cast:
Gabriel Chavarria – Danny
Demian Bichir – Miguel Alvarez
Theo Rossi – Francisco ‘Ghost’ Alvarez
Tony Revolori – Chuy
Melissa Benoist – Lorelai
Eva Longoria – Gloria Alvarez
Summary:
“Lowriders” is directed by Ricardo de Montreuil and tells the story of family and culture around East L.A. Within the vein of that, we follow Danny (Chavarria), a young street artist who is passionate about his taggings and how he wants to prove to his father that he can make something out of his art. Danny’s brother Ghost (Rossi) comes into the picture after several years in prison and is resentful of his father Miguel (Bichir) because of past events and Danny becomes torn between his father and his brother who he hasn’t seen in years. This film is not about lowriders per say. It is an allegory to the main theme of this movie which is family. We all go through hardships in our life and are afraid to confront the demons in our past and this in turn can hurt the ones closest to us. This was the heart and soul of the film and it carries throughout well and pulls on your heartstrings a bit. That’s not the only important part of this film as the title indicates their being lowriders involved. The film captures the essence of the East L.A. culture and its love for street art and lowriders of course. It really shows the texture and heart that the people put into what they love doing. There is a competition involving lowriders and you see the ins and outs of how the lowriders work and what they mean to the people that ride them. They are more than cars to these people, they are legacy and tradition and that proves to be a strong point in the film. The performances in the film are well rounded with Bichir and Chavarria being the standouts. I love the way this culture is depicted and how it beautifies parts of L.A. that never see the light of the day. “Lowriders” is a truly remarkable tale of family and culture that is presented in an honest way.
Grade: B
Wells Reviews 