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 Empire
Starring: John Leguizamo, Peter Sarsgaard, Denise Richards
and Delilah Cotto
Directed by: Frank Reyes
Rated: R
Empire
comes so close to accomplishing a gritty urban tale…but then
it decides to borrow from about eight different film sources
on making a gangsta film and ultimately is far from spectacular
spectacular. Snore.
Freak-boy and mega diversified talent John
Leguizamo along with my own "it" boy Peter
Sarsgaard do admirable jobs in the stereotypical roles of
Puerto Rican hood vs. white ivy leaguer. But Empire just
loses steam like a corrupt espresso machine during the morning
rush. It starts off ripping through the celluloid glow and sadly
loses its mojo about two thirds through till it screeches to a
chitty chitty bang bang halt!
Story goes Victor Rosa (John Leguizamo) is a businessman. He's
young, rich, and handsome Latin male…he runs a big chunk
of the heroin empire in the Bronx area of New York. There are
rules and he and his crew adhere to the street ways to the tee.
He's in love with a girl Carmen (Delilah Cotto) from the hood
that's bettering her life by attending college. He'd love to change
his life...
The
two are invited to a college gal's boyfriend's house for a party.Victor
meets Jack (Peter Sarsgaard). Jack's a milk-white investment banker
that apparently likes Vic and his gal. He lets Vic in on some
big money investments and works his magic. Vic's maybe gonna get
that chance he's always wanted. Maybe he and Carmen can get away
from the wrong side of the tracks.
Vic's
excited, living large. He is finally getting out of the crime-life
or is he?
See
the story is sweet (yes sweet). A guy with a brilliant
mind for business is unfortunately born into the wrong part of
town and isn't given the opportunities a suburban kid would get
to flourish with this talent. Vic does all he knows…. traffic
drugs. He's good but he wants more, and less of the killing an'
stuff s'all. The problem is the story takes some wild yet typical
turns. Vic makes a huge amount of money and yet it's still not
enough. I don't know about you but somebody gives me two million
and I am set for life. Plot movement...
So
we watch as he pathetically starts to unravel and - of course
as the film's own previews show thusly ruining any suspense -
Yale boy, Jack, rips him off.
I
respect John Leguizamo. Is there anything
this guy cant do? He's got what, thirty forty voices? Have you
seen Freak or Sexoholic? He' s a kinetic little slice of mansteak.
But, as strong as his character Vic started out he fell into oh-so-been-there
pate and we were left begging for the credits to role. There was
nothing new in this guy…it was too gangsta film hodge podge.
Peter
Sarsgaard is my new it boy. Kiddies we found Russell,
Jeremy, Bennie
and Clive no? I've been tootin' my horn
for a couple of years. Now he seems to be getting the "big"
roles, but these roles are completely wasting him (the disappearing
underrated Salton Sea aside). Do not
get me started on the colossal piece of studio kucka K19
. I'm still angered at the waste of fresh mankebab in that one…Peter's
ahhhhdorable. Layers of delectable delicacies creshendo-ing
into sticky sweet man goulash. A note to his agent…USE this
guy right would ya? His character was so cellophane thin I had
to look away in shame…
The
gals in the film, Carmen played by Delilah Cotto and Jack's fashion
hound pal Trish played by Denise Richards are really backdrop.
Delilah tried desparately to ad some well needed drama into her
role but the scenes just wouldn't let her. They were tapioca thick
with telegraphed emotions. Denise played a character; no more,
no less. The best part of the film is her demise - I mean the
place roared she was finally quieted. These two actors can and
will do better. Here they are added to fill in some dialog holes
and give Vic a heart. They come of as 2D paper doll type women.
El Garbagio.
If
you're into Johnnie - see this. He's in every single scene…
Peter is wasted like 19.00 a pound Italian salted ham from
Balducci's you forgot was in the fridge! Yech.
Snack
recommendation: Empanadas and diet cokes.
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