Lowriders

It's admirable that this film depicts a culture that's tragically under-represented on the big screen, but the movie is so overwritten and simplistic that it almost comes across as condescending. Rather than positioning itself as a tough, adult drama, Lowriders undercuts its viewers' intelligence and is pitched as if the audience needs absolutely everything explained and spelled out. Not only does Danny narrate the proceedings, but the characters speak to each other as if they were all newcomers to this world; nothing feels quite real.

Director Ricardo de Montreuil attempts to add some authenticity with his wobbly, documentary-like camerawork, but that can't cut through the ultimately soap opera-like structure of the writing. That said, the performances are squite strong, especially the one by Rossi (of Luke Cage); he gives Ghost a scary, seductive, streetwise swagger, as well as an appealing vulnerability. Oscar nominee Bichir (A Better Life, The Hateful Eight) is fine as well, as is Supergirl's Melissa Benoist and a nearly unrecognizable Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives).