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Raising Victor Vargas Details

2002 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 1178 members

Peter Sollett's astonishing feature debut establishes the director as one of American cinema's most refreshing new voices. Miraculously capturing the grittiness of life on Manhattan's Lower East Side while maintaining an air of hopeful innocence, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS plays like a combination of KIDS and THE GOONIES. When .. Read more

Starring Victor Rasul, Judy Marte, Melonie Diaz, Altagracia Guzman
Director Peter Sollett
Genres Drama

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Raising Victor Vargas

Peter Sollett's astonishing feature debut establishes the director as one of American cinema's most refreshing new voices. Miraculously capturing the grittiness of life on Manhattan's Lower East Side while maintaining an air of hopeful innocence, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS plays like a combination of KIDS and THE GOONIES. When Victor Vargas (Victor Rasuk) is busted hooking up with "Fat Donna" (Donna Maldonado), he sets his sights on a more respectable target. That target is "Juicy Judy" Gonzalez (Judy Marte), a gorgeous teenager who has been looking for someone to keep the neighbourhood leeches away. After being formally introduced to Judy by her younger brother Carlos (Wilfree Vasquez)--who just so happens to have a crush on Victor's younger sister Vicki (Krystal Rodriguez)--Victor gets his wish. But to Judy, this is merely a business proposition. As Victor gradually realises that his feelings for Judy are becoming much deeper, he must contend with his stubborn grandmother (Altagracia Guzman), who wants to punish him for being a negative influence on his little brother Nino (Silvestre Rasuk). Gorgeously photographed by Tim Orr and brilliantly acted by its non-professional cast, RAISING VICTOR VARGAS is a universal tale that crosses all racial, social, and economical lines.

Starring Victor Rasul, Judy Marte, Melonie Diaz, Altagracia Guzman, Silvestre Rasuk
Director Peter Sollett
Studio MOMENTUM PICTURES
Run time DVD: 1 hr 28 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Genres Drama
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 02 Apr 2004
Production year: 2002
Format DVD

  • Critics' reviews (6) of Raising Victor Vargas

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  • 3 stars out of 5

    Director Peter Sollet makes a creditable debut with this tale of first love in New York's Lower East Side. The result of extensive workshopping, the performances of the juvenile cast are touchingly authentic, with Victor Rasuk swaggering in the title role as he disses his siblings and seeks to impress neighbour Judy Marte, who is as much amused as seduced by his tactics. However, the standout is Altragracia Guzman, the irascible grandmother who keeps threatening her charges with social services to keep them in line. The ending's a touch too cute, but the overall tone is one of restrained realism.

    • Radio Times
    • Posted 29 Jan 2006
  • 2 stars out of 4

    Using a non-professional cast, Sollett creates an authentic-feeling coming-of-age story, concentrating on an adolescent who learns that tenderness can be more effective than street-smart, macho swaggering.

    • Halliwell's Film Guide
    • Posted 02 Mar 2006

  • Most helpful member's review of Raising Victor Vargas

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  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 5 stars

    deeply touching

    This is a really touching film about the true innocence of youth and the clash of values/ideals between a young lad trying to make his way in a tough New York suburb and his sweet loving grandmother who was born in the dominican republic in the 1930s. Brilliantly acted with great warmth, humour and a wonderful sense of naivety in a world where it seems that appearances are everything. The scene with Gran getting her saucepan stuck on the kitchen tap had me in stitches. And Juicy Judy is a complete babe.

  • Most recent members' review of Raising Victor Vargas

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  • 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Teenage battle of the sexes

    Another teenage battle of the sexes, but this time portrayed with considerable charm and humour by a cast of actors who look like adolescents rather than buffed-up pop stars, and a script which allows the characters dignity rather than the usual succession of frat-boy gags.

    The treatment is warm, sensitive and humorous without being sickly, and there is a superb grandmother.

    The filming is economical and lively, and the whole thing whizzes by. I frequently found myself smiling while I watched it: excellent if you're feeling miserable.

    Highly recommended.

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Rating breakdown

1,178 Member ratings
  • 100
61
  • 90
93
  • 80
184
  • 70
216
  • 60
221
  • 50
154
  • 40
92
  • 30
67
  • 20
60
  • 10
30

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      • Peter Sollett's astonishing feature debut establishes the director as one of American cinema's most refreshing new voices. Miraculously capturing the grittiness of life on Manhattan's Lower East Side ...