Manito (2002)

94% of critics liked it
(31 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(528 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

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 18 min.
Directed By: Eric Eason
Written By: Eric Eason
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 13, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Jan 1, 2005
Studio: Film Movement

Critic Reviews

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.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
A low-budget wonder.
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.
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.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Where do the actors come from, who can walk into their first picture and act with such effortless effect?
A.O. Scott, New York Times
[Eason] has a quick-moving, incisive eye that captures little details of gesture and décor ... and also an ear finely tuned to the nuances of talk.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
First-time director Eric Eason's assured debut feature is a gritty urban drama shot on a shaky handheld DV camera for $25,000.
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.
John A. Nesbit, Old School Reviews
The digital camera itself becomes a major character because it gives any director with unique connections access to previously unfilmable subjects
Alex Kranz, Premiere Magazine
The movie barrels painfully through increasing misfortunes ... leaving filmgoers to walk out with the rawest of reactions.
Harry Haun, Film Journal International
A mangy little movie that winds up -- surprise! surprise! -- leaving you genuinely moved and sadly bewildered.
Erich Scholz, Citysearch
A compelling slice-of-life narrative that draws much of its strength from its non-professional actors.

Read all 12 critic reviews

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Cast

Franky G
as Junior Moreno
Leo Minaya
as Manny Moreno
Manuel Cabral
as Oscar Moreno

Julissa Lopez
as Miriam
Jessica Morales
as Marisol
Hector Gonzalez
as Abuelo

See full cast