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Parents' Guide to

Victor

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Drug-addicted gang member reforms in faith-based true story.

Movie PG-13 2015 105 minutes
Victor Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

VICTOR is based on the autobiography Son of Evil Street by Victor Torres, who moved with his family from Puerto Rico to Brooklyn, New York, in search of a better life in the early 1960s. Although Victor (Patrick Davis) seems to be a good kid who loves his parents and little brother, the relocation introduces him to gang life, violence, crime, and heroin addiction. His parents (Lisa Vidal and Jose Zuniga) put him into several rehab institutions, but he relapses into drug use as soon as he gets out. Nothing works until he "surrenders" to God through the work of a local church group's addiction center run by a pastor (Josh Pence) who had also grown up in a bad neighborhood and managed to find his way out through God. After Victor gets straight, he goes on to help addicts by starting religious rehab programs in Boston and Virginia.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This movie overcomes early, clichéd moments depicting youthful bad judgment mostly owing to a winning performance by Patrick Davis in the title role. When movies are structured unimaginatively and adhere to conventions established by other unimaginative movies, direction and script give away all the dramatic tension from the start. You've seen the beleaguered mother, the dad who brought the family from somewhere for the better life and now has no job, the innocent little sibling who everyone wants to protect but who is clearly vulnerable and at risk. You've seen the man-child -- who thinks he's all grown up and knows everything –- act stupidly and tell his parents they don't know what they're talking about. And you've probably seen the troubled youth pull himself back from the edge with the help of good parents, a helpful preacher, and a newfound belief in God.

Yet by the end of Victor, solid performances and a heartfelt message deliver an emotionally true experience. And while this may not be everyone's cup of tea, if it moves a troubled kid to find his way to a decent life, then, hey, why complain?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how family members help each other. Do you think Victor would have survived if his parents hadn't intervened to help him kick heroin? Why or why not?

  • Why do you think young people join gangs? Do you think gangs attract kids who might feel powerless or unable to get ahead in life? Do you think kids believe that being a gang member will give them status?

  • How can religion help some addicts? How do other addicts manage their addiction besides relying on religion?

Movie Details

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