By: debbie lynn elias
A pleasant surprise for me at the 2011 Los Angeles Film Festival is MAMITAS. With a cast that includes Jennifer Esposito, Pedro Armendariz, Jr., Jesse Garcia, EJ Bonilla, Veronica Diaz-Carranza and – ladies, be still your hearts – Joaquim de Almeida, MAMITAS is another “Must See Festival Film” coming from the Narrative Competition. Writer/director Nicholas Ozeki shines with this feature directorial debut based on his award-winning 24 minute short of the same name. Filmed entirely in Los Angeles in the Echo Park region, MAMITAS is a moving and heartwarming coming of age story guaranteed to bring not only a tear to your eye, but laughter and a smile.
In his own mind, Jordin is the BMOC at his highschool. A hotshot, arrogant Latino, Jordin views himself as the man of all men, the man all woman want to worship, the man who can score with any woman he chooses. That is until he meets Felipa. A hard nosed New Yorker come to stay with her aunt and uncle in Los Angeles until her mother’s economic situation improves, Felipa isn’t buying Jordin’s macho routine. She believes he’s hiding from himself and others with this weak facade, especially when she follows him home and sees picture after picture of Jordin and his family. Becoming the most unlikely of friends, Jordin and Felipa are almost inseparable as each begins to open up to the other, especially Jordin who reveals the loss of his mother during his birth and his strained lifelong relationship with his father. Following an injury to his beloved grandfather, Felipa and Jordin stumble upon boxes and boxes of writings, clippings, photos and letters, all that belonged to his mother. In reading the letters, Jordin faces what may be an ugly truth – his father may not be his father at all.
While Jordin embarks on a search for his true identity, Felipa must also come to grips with her own facade and the truth about her mother, a secret she didn’t disclose to Jordin, straining their delicate relationship.
Buttressed by outstanding performances from Jennifer Esposito as a concerned counseler, Joaquim de Almeida as a surprise link to Jordin’s past, and Pedro Armendariz, Jr.as Jordin’s beloved grandfather, Bonilla and Diaz-Carranza dazzle as Jordin and Felipa, leaving all their emotion on the floor. The emotional arcs of their characters are well written and fully realized in their respective performances. And don’t be surprised if Diaz-Carranza has you thinking of another strong Latina actress – America Ferrera. Their physical resemblance and acting style is quite similar and a joy to watch. Some great lighting and lensing adds to the story and particularly the budding romance of Jordin and Felipa.
A strongly written story about family, coming of age and finding yourself, MAMITAS carries multi-generational wisdom while wearing its heart on its sleeve.
