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Manito
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 23 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
Movie Info
Genre(s): Drama
Written by: Eric Eason
Directed by: Eric Eason
Release Date:
Theatrical: June 13, 2003
Running Time: 78 minutes, Color
Origin: USA
Summary
RATING: Not Rated
Starring Franky G., Leo Minaya, Manuel Cabral, Jessica Morales, Julissa Lopez, Héctor González, Panchito Gómez, and Lou Torres
Set, and vibrantly photographed, in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan, Manito is the fictional story of two days in the life of two Latino brothers, Junior and Manny. Employing techniques of cinema verite, the film vibrantly captures a neighborhoodand the people who live there. (Film Movement)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas
As a dramatist Eason has a classicist's sense of structure and movement to complement his sense of the cinematic. Manito, which has a special grand jury prize from Sundance among its 10 awards, is a small film with a big impact.
Read Full Review >Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
Manito sees an everyday tragedy with sadness and tenderness, and doesn't force it into the shape of a plot.
Read Full Review >Chicago Tribune Patrick Z. McGavin
The film recalls Martin Scorsese's "Mean Streets" and the minimalism of films such as Lars Von Trier's "The Idiots." Eason and cinematographer Didier Gertsch keep the cameras tight on the actors' bodies and faces, creating palpable unease.
Read Full Review >The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps
Eason's twist of fate and too-sudden ending seems as rooted in Washington Heights as the music that pours from the neighborhood's car windows, the smoke that billows from its late-night eateries, and the stoic resignation inscribed on its inhabitants' faces.
Read Full Review >Chicago Reader Ted Shen
Franky G.'s performance as the protective yet combustible older brother is as real as it gets.
Read Full Review >Slate David Edelstein
Manito is the rare little movie that gets bigger as it goes along--so big that it can hardly contain its own emotion.
Read Full Review >Variety Dennis Harvey
Furiously paced -- just shy of the sensory-overload point -- pic duly merits comparison to its spiritual granddaddy "Mean Streets," not in the usual imitative sense but rather in the freshness, character acuity and low-budget high style brought to a different NYC ethnic milieu.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe Janice Page
Because Manito is really just an opera without the violins or Viking hats, you probably don't need to have everything spelled out. Its Spanish-English script is secondary to the universal language and timeless drama of family, community, dreams made and dreams dashed.
Read Full Review >Premiere Alex Kranz
Until the point that changes everything, Manito is more a portrait of a neighborhood and its various characters--and this is the even more impressive part of the film. Once the disasters start to domino, the story becomes a bit familiar, a bit manipulative.
Read Full Review >New York Post Megan Lehmann
A leisurely, scene-setting start, peppered with authentic banter and winning localized humor, fleshes out the characters in Manito so well you feel as if you live alongside them.
Read Full Review >New York Daily News Elizabeth Weitzman
Toward the finish, the movie takes a regrettable curve into melodrama, but the excellent performances never waver.
Read Full Review >San Francisco Chronicle Edward Guthmann
A low-budget wonder: rough and gritty around the edges, filmed for what looks like a budget of $1.98, but bristling with energy, passion and intimacy.
Read Full Review >The New York Times Dana Stevens
Though a dramatic (even melodramatic) narrative eventually takes shape, what you remember is the succession of moods and observations through which it emerges.
Read Full Review >LA Weekly Jon Strickland
Eric Eason's assured debut succeeds in the way Larry Clark's “Kids” succeeded -- through a feel for the rhythms of street life, and some extraordinary casting.
Read Full Review >TV Guide Ken Fox
Eason balances the clichés of a fairly standard story with convincing realism and a powerful momentum that never flags.
Read Full Review >Film Threat Merle Bertrand
With Manito's raw portrayal of its characters and stripped-down cinematography, the undercurrent of impending tragedy is palpable.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Kimberley Jones
If you shy away from that sick feeling in the pit of the stomach that comes when watching good people make bad decisions, then best to steer clear of Manito, a low-budget indie that reaches near-Greek proportions of tragedy brought on by lousy decision-making.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this movie is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 23 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Bill B. gave it a9:
Fantastic first film. Totally distinct. A great director has landed. Dying to see his next film!
Sweetman S. gave it an8:
Powerful and devastating glimpse of life in the NYC Washington Heights Latino community.
Amy N. gave it a 9:
A startling good first film. Remarkable use of real locations embue the tale with the full flavor of a Manhattan neighborhood rarely depicted in film.
Bill Q. gave it a 9:
affecting portrait of the struggles of a minority family to for a better future while escaping the past. Really moving and really real.
Martha B. gave it a 7:
solid little movie, sort of like "girlfight" or movie like "real women have curves". It points the spotlight at a world we rarely see in movies. Frankie G. is a Domincan God to be worshiped!
Ronald R. gave it an 8:
Slow beginning. incredible middle. devestating ending. Give it an 8. Would have been higher but the flick is too short (only 89 minutes) I wanted more film!!!!
Alexander T. gave it a 9:
WOW--wasn't prepared for such a well conceived, well cast and well executed, and truly ambitious movie. Reminded me less of "mean streets" and more of the gritty dogme films like Dancer in the Dark and Celebration, etc. It certainly ain't for everyone. But--then truly interesting films usually divide audiences. This is uncomercial moviemaking at its most heartfelt.
