Great Performances, But A Lack Of Character Insight, Make For An Insignificant "Angel"
I'm not sure what I was supposed to be left with after viewing "Angel Rodriguez"--a slight, well meaning drama that had it's premiere on HBO. Restrained and dignified performances by Jonan Everett and Rachel Griffiths are definitely worth watching. The slice-of-life approach is interesting--we seem to be getting just enough information to want to follow these characters, but ultimately not enough to understand them. And however much I wanted to recommend and like "Angel Rodriguez"--I'm afraid it really just left me feeling a bit empty.
Angel, played by Everett, is a high school senior. He has been thrown out of his house by his father and is now trying to make his way on the streets. Angel, as presented, is an intelligent kid with loads of potential. He has quite a few friends, computer savvy, decent grades, and a well spoken and polite manner--it's a thoughtful portrait of a relatively normal kid. Apparently he doesn't get along with his father's girlfriend which is...
A day in the life . . .
This striking HBO film by director Jim McKay portrays a day in the life of what the media would call a "throwaway kid." Rejected by his parents, with no home, he continues going to high school and has plans some day to have his own computer company - not a far-fetched goal, as he is clearly bright and knowledgeable about computers. But with his back against the wall, and befriended only by other marginal kids, his only lifeline is a school counselor who tries to keep him from being defeated by the circumstances of his life.
McKay's portrayal of his central character, Angel, is both gentle and realistic. He knows that the boy has both strengths and weaknesses. Tempted to steal from someone who has given him a place to stay for the night, he steals. And we learn that he is capable of a murderous rage. But there's also a struggle going on in him to persevere, be responsible, and not give up hope. This mixture of traits makes him a compelling study in youthful complexity. The...
Insightful day in the life film
"Angel Rodriguez" is a made-for-HBO film about a teenager who's trying to get his life together. Angel, played by Jonan Everett, is first seen moving into his high school counselor Nicole's (Rachel Griffiths) spare bedroom because his Dad kicked him out.
Angel's definitely a likable guy. He's got plenty of friends, including Raymond (Wallace Little), good grades, and he's a talented programmer. So, why's he out on the street? His Dad alleges the kid's a liar and a thief, but it seems more like Angel's inconvenient since Daddy's got a new girlfriend, who doesn't get along with Angel.
Nicole, Angel's counselor, is taking a pretty big risk giving a high school kid seeming cart blanche access to her home and her house keys with nary a blink.
"Angel" had me watching attentively for more, but the script didn't precisely provide it. The actors did and I wished I could have seen more than just this short 'slice of life' with some serious inconsistencies...
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