- Set in East LA, EAST SIDE STORY is the story of Diego, a young man working at his family’s restaurant and having an affair with a secretly gay real estate agent. As the relationship heats up and the Latino neighborhood becomes more and more gentrified, everything changes for Diego and his family. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: NR Age: 754703762979 UPC: 7
Called a “feel good movie” by its fans, this appealing debut film of director Carlos Portugal suffers from no freshman errors, as Portugal confidently tells the story of Diego (played by the wonderful and charming René Alvarado), a young, closeted Latino, who helps his grand-mother (standout Irene DeBarri) run the family restaurant while carrying on a clandestine relationship with equally closeted Pablo (the delightful David Beron).
Diego has long felt trapped by the conservative culture of East LA and plans to move away and open an upscale restaurant, hopefully with his lover. But Pablo views their situation very differently – a point driven home when he begins dating Diego’s spirited Aunt Bianca (hilarious sexpot Gladise Jimenez). At the same time, white gay men like Jonathan and Wesley are moving in, gentrifying the neighborhood. The attraction between Wesley and Diego is immediate and electric, forcing both men to reexamine their state of affairs in this entertaining comedic drama.
A “coming out” story that avoids all the tired cliches and stays committed to telling the stories of these characters, East Side Story examines bias of all kinds and features stirring performances by incredibly attractive actors. This story sweetly appeals to the romantic impulses of us all, gay and straight.Handsome restaurateur Diego (Rene Alvarado, Fall to Grace) thinks he has the perfect boyfriend–until Pablo (David Beron, Honor Thy Father and Mother: The True Story of the Menendez Murders) makes it clear he’s not coming out of the closet, in case it might threaten his real estate business. Of course, Diego himself isn’t out at work–until his flighty aunt Blanca (Gladys Jimenez, Tremors: The Series) casually reveals this to the homophobic staff. Heartbroken and alienated at work, Diego gets distracted when Wesley (Steve Callahan, Nine Lives) and Jonathan (Cory Schneider, The M.O. of M.I.), two hunky guys who are apparently allergic to shirts, move in next door. But as sparks start to fly with Wesley, Jonathan attempts to use racial strife as a tool against Diego. For a low-budget gay romance, East Side Story has broad ambitions, juxtaposing racism and homophobia without getting too heavy-handed with either. The script and the acting are a little wooden, but sincere warmth, flippant humor, unapologetic directness about its characters’ lives, and a lot of well-muscled bodies give this movie its appeal. Irene DeBari, as Diego’s grandmother, provides a lot of the movie’s heart. –Bret Fetzer
Buy “East Side Story” For Only $15.97
March 9, 2010
#1
I not sure what the people who gave this movie a good review where smoking. It was such a horrible moive, I could not finish watching it. The best part of the movie was when the main character takes off his towl.
March 9, 2010
#2
This lame take on “West Side Story” — substitute gays and Latinos in East L.A. for “whites” and Puerto Ricans in NYC — is predictable almost from the opening scene. Worse, most of the gay characters exist only for cheap laughs at their stereotyped behavior. It’s idiotic. One more thing: In a genre where the DVD jackets bear little resemblance to reality, this one takes fantasy to a new level. The flick’s skin quotient is fine, but it’s nowhere near as much as the jacket indicates. On the plus side, Rene Alvarado does a nice job, considering a poorly written script that has him alternating between sulking jerk and the perfect boyfriend. (Having said all that, I’m a sucker for any gay romance film, so there were enough threads to make it worth a look — assuming you rent it rather than buy it.)
March 9, 2010
#3
This movie, and I use the term loosely, was atrocious. It was HORRIBLE. It was…I can’t even explain it. Filmakers should know better than to make a movie on vhs. It just ends up looking like a well…a vhs a home movie. SSSSOOOO BAD!!!! The acting was bad, the writing was bad, the cinematography was bad, the directing was bad and the editing was bad. There was nothing new or exciting about this film. I had high hopes for it, and the worst part was the boyfriend of the neighbor guy who was completely over acting his stereotype. It was gross. The best part of the of the movie was the ending, you know…when the credits roll up. Skip it. Trust me.
March 9, 2010
#4
Good plot, tho some of the actors were a bit so-so. Cute movie, overall. Bit risque, but fun!
March 9, 2010
#5
Although I try to avoid Gay Cinema at all cost because it is usually terrible, I decided to get this movie due to the fact that I saw on a rating that it had four and a half starts. What a bunch of crap and waste of time this is! Geez, can you put any more Mexican and Gay stereotypes in this instulting and derrogatory movie. Give me a brake, what Gay man (especially a Mexican Gay man)really looks like that or acts that way? It is no wonder that gay and straight men grow up with such problems as to the way they look. In addition, I feel that this type of movie creates more danger for gay teens’ self-estem that any bigotry and discrimination that straight society can dish at them. In conclusion, if you really want to exercise your mind and feel proud about being Gay or a member of any minority, then watch a creative and well-done movie such as “Milk” and skip this garbage.