October 1, 2002

By Veronica Mixon

All Night Bodega is a little gem. Loosely based on a New York Times article about a Latino teenage runaway, this poignant, gritty film captures the street rhythms Spanish Harlem and spotlights a talented cast of newcomers and veterans.

Tammy Trull stars as Venus, a troubled teen who bristles under any kind of authority. While she enjoys singing in a chorus at school, she lacks the necessary discipline that will win her favorable attention from the teacher. Self-absorbed and narcissistic, Venus possesses a shortsighted view of life like most adolescents. Trull, who makes her film debut after working on the New York and London stage, struts across the screen in perfect youthful angst and into our hearts. She is the kind of teenager character that's rarely seen in the movies writer/director Felix Olivier should be applauded for creating a film around her.

Life with her widowed foster mother, Eta Abreu (Blanca Camacho TV's "Law and Order" & "NYPD Blue") isn't bad but Venus can't resist arguing and poking fun at ETA especially when she starts to date an undercover cop, Ralph (Jaime Tirelli Carlito's Way, City of Hope). Reluctantly, Ralph begins to look out for Venus and introduces her to another undercover cop, Papo (Gabriel Salvador). Slowly, the two fall in love but Venus isn't use to kindness from men and her growing feelings for Papo make her uncomfortable. Furthermore, it's Venus's rash decision to leave home that sends her spiraling into violence, a life of crime and physical danger.

On the streets, Venus's tough veneer quickly melts away and her vulnerability constantly peeks through her haunting eyes and desperate acts. Furthermore, she's torn between Papo and Juanita (Romi Dias), the charismatic leader of a female street gang who takes the naïve girl under her wing.

Director Olivier has created a character that the audience understands and cares for despite her obnoxious behavior. You want Venus to realize her mistakes but the headstrong girl gets lost and this reflects the true lives of many teenagers today.

All Night Bodega possesses the beautiful faces you see on city streets and subways and it successfully penetrates the cool façade of youthful angst. Furthermore, the film reflects how violence can take over an impressionable adolescent and deceive them. One can only hope that the Venuses of this world are able to accept those acts of kindness that come their way and lead better lives.