UK release: 29th September 2006
This touching rites-of-passage drama from co-directors Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland (The Fluffer) has undoubted charm, despite the shortcomings in its storytelling. The Spanish title — Quinceañera — refers to the traditional Mexican celebrations held for teenage girls to mark their 15th birthday.
Magdalena (Emily Rios) is a young Mexican-American girl whose own festivities are thrown into turmoil when she reveals she is pregnant — without, she claims, having had sex. Banished by her ultra-religious father, Magdalena goes to live with her great-uncle Tomas, who is already playing host to her gay cousin Carlos (Jesse Garcia).
The film shows how LA’s Echo Park neighbourhood has become increasingly gentrified, with the old ways of the Mexican community changing for the better — and for the worse. A heavy-handed gay subplot briefly skews the story’s direction, but when the closing credits roll all that really matters is the young cast’s passion and vivacity; shame we couldn’t see just a little more of it.
***
UK cinema certificate 15
Running time 90mins
Review by Damon Wise
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