Raising Victor Vargas Movie Review

The movie Raising Victor Vargas was a winner at the Deauville Film Festival.

Not your typical candy coated Hollywood produced teen movie, Raising Victor Vargas gives you an intimate look into the lives of a teenager and those around him.

With the theme of teenagers and boy-girl-relationships having been done to death in Hollywood, you'd expect another brainless, cliche-ridden hormone driven movie.

Instead, Raising Victor Vargas is a breath of fresh air.

The entire cast is so natural. Grandma, the only adult figure in this movie was played by Guzman, a seamstress by profession, a grandma in real life, utterly convincing as Victor's possessive grandma, even though this is her first film.

Victor himself was played by 19 year old Victor Rasuk. A talented young actor who started acting from the age of 13.

"Juicy" Judy was played by Judy Marte.

I'd say every one in the cast did an excellent job. The love scenes were so natural. The conversations, the way they interact draws the viewer into the movie. It is as if you really are eavesdropping into their lives.

The story-line is simple.

Victor is caught with an Fat Donna and gets teased for being her man.

He sees popular Judy. To counteract the teasing, he tries to pick her up but comes across as a dork. His friend, Harold fancies Judy's friend Melonie and starts to woo her.

Luckily for him, Judy's brother fancies Vicky, Victor's sister.

Judy, attracts men like bees to honey. After being besieged time and again by men, when Carlos introduces her to Victor, she accepts him as her man. To her, he's bug spray, to keep the other guys at bay.

Victor has a well meaning grandma who's a control freak. She cannot seem to accept that her children are growing up and Victor's younger brother is no longer a baby.

The story progresses simply, giving you a peek into their lives. Victor Vargas is a charming, heartwarming movie that deserves the accolades that it gets.