Manito (2002)
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94% of critics liked it
(31 reviews) -
65% of users liked it
(557 ratings)
Yet another American filmmaker inspired by the storytelling economy of Dogme 95, writer/director Eric Eason shot his feature debut, Manito, on digital video with a tiny budget and cast the film predominantly with first-time actors. Native New Yorker Eason's tale takes place in the Puerto Rican… More Yet another American filmmaker inspired by the storytelling economy of Dogme 95, writer/director Eric Eason shot his feature debut, Manito, on digital video with a tiny budget and cast the film predominantly with first-time actors. Native New Yorker Eason's tale takes place in the Puerto Rican community of Washington Heights. Manny (Leo Minaya) is graduating high school near the top of his class and is headed to Syracuse University on a full scholarship. His family proudly organizes a massive graduation party, paid for by his older brother, Junior (Franky G.). Junior is a habitual womanizer who's done time for dealing drugs, but now he's working as a contractor. He's still hustling -- he falsifies his insurance certificate for a new job and hires illegal Mexican workers off the street -- but he's trying to pull his life together and support his wife, Miriam (Julissa Lopez), and their little boy. But his big celebration for Manny (staged at the famous Jimmy's Bronx Café) does not go smoothly. Their father, Oscar (Manuel Cabral), a reformed crack dealer, tries to participate in the big event, but Junior, still haunted by their ugly past, chases Oscar off, threatening to kill him. Manny has a crush on a sexually mature classmate, Marisol (Jessica Morales), and when he escorts her home from the party, they're accosted on the subway by two hoods who molest Marisol and steal Manny's graduation money. Just when it seems the world might be opening up to them, Manny and Junior find their hopes for the future in jeopardy. Manito won a Special Jury Prize for its ensemble cast at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, and was shown in competition at the 2002 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- Eric Eason
- Written By
- Eric Eason
- Genres
- Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jun 13, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- Film Movement
Critic Reviews
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Marta Barber, Miami Herald
The film shows a capsule of American urban life where few outside the community venture in. Eason hands out an invitation to do so. Accept it willingly.
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Bob Campbell, Newark Star-Ledger
Ragged but intense, this compassionate little movie is stocked with enough skillful touches and sensitive moments to stir interest in Eason's future work.
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Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
A low-budget wonder.
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Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
A remarkably assured feature debut, Eric Eason's raw, intimate movie deftly captures the kinetic energy of its Washington Heights setting.
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Janice Page, Boston Globe
What Manito delivers that its cable TV cousins rarely seem interested in exploring are the tiniest details of the real urban 'hood where its stories take place.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Franky G
as Junior Moreno
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Leo Minaya
as Manny Moreno
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Manuel Cabral
as Oscar Moreno
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Julissa Lopez
as Miriam
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Jessica Morales
as Marisol
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Hector Gonzalez
as Abuelo
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Panchito Gomez
as Rodchenko
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Edwin de Leon
as Roberto
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Jeff Asencio
as Ignacio
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Adreal Irizarry
as Hercules
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Yovanna Jose
as Nena
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Casper Martinez
as Enrique
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Petra Quinones
as Aunt Aida
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Lavidania Ramirez
as Anita
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Tiffany Yates
as Mrs. Wendorf
