The Stranger

Filmmaker Ramin Bahrani's last feature, Man Push Cart, was beautiful but overwhelmingly bleak (the tragic overfeeding of a kitten was involved). But with Chop Shop, Bahrani hits the sweet spot at the intersection of relentless oppression and indomitable human will. Alejandro is a NYC street kid who lands a job at a black-market mechanic in Queens—but his pretty older sister, Isamar, and carefree buddy Carlos don't share his obsessive work ethic. Chop Shop is the best American indie so far this year. (Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, 267-5380. 3, 5, 7, and 9 pm, $5–$8.50.) by Annie Wagner

Link  |  Post Comment (0)