MOVIE REVIEW: 'Romántico'


Movie review in the Friday, Feb. 2 Oregonian ...




After you meet Carmelo, you won't see those mariachis who serenade you in Mexican restaurants the same way ever again.

Carmelo is the subject of Mark Becker's intimate, powerfully sad documentary "Romántico." When Carmelo's not strumming earnest Spanish ditties in San Francisco restaurants, this portly, 57-year-old illegal immigrant lives as a grim-faced survivor -- making $25-100 a night and sending much of it back to his beloved daughters in Mexico. When his mother falls ill, Carmelo heads home for the first time in three years, where he's mired in diabetes, poverty and dwindling options.

"Romántico" is a low-key personal portrait that offers insights into an illegal alien's desperate psychology. But mostly, the doc fills you with an aching empathy for this profoundly decent man -- who numbly (even heroically) soldiers on, even as his body, family, friends and country fail him.

"Romántico" plays through Feb. 8 at Portland's Clinton St. Theater. You can learn more about the documentary -- and, apparently, donate money to help Carmelo and his family -- at the film's official Web site.

Oregonian movie reviews (OregonLive.com)

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Posted: Sat - February 3, 2007 at 12:29 PM        

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