Chop Shop

Howard Hawks' definition of a good movie: "Three great scenes, no bad ones." He also defined a good director as "someone who doesn't annoy you". Bahrani's film has numerous good scenes. What's exceptional about his contribution to the New American Realism movement of pure filmmaking, though, is that he never once missteps. Believable actions by real people fully integrated into their milieu leave you with an impression of having witnessed a piece of real life. This is, indeed, a very good movie.

Ale and Isamar struggle to barely maintain a living in a situation where innocence is a luxury they can't afford. The film never resorts to operatic melodrama or grand tragedies to earn easy sympathy, the sympathy comes from the bare humanity of the characters, portrayed very nicely by the two young stars. It's a neo-realist glimpse into their lives. Ale's efforts to provide for and protect his sister are endearing, but also depressing as you realize he has to be his own parental role model.

Simple storytelling is becoming somewhat of a trademark for Bahrani. And he does a great job doing it... That, combined with unknown actors, make it seem realistic and sometimes almost documentary-ish. We drop down in a short period of time in these peoples lives and we leave them as abrubtly as we are introduced to them. Its Alejandro who carries this film on his small shoulders and without his charm and charisma, it probably wouldnt have been this good.'

This is heartbreaking neorealist stuff. Just plain superb.

Chop Shop reminds me of all the things I liked about The Bicycle Thief. I just love that an Iranian-American is directing a film about a Latino family, in NYC, using the style of Italian films from the 1940s.

Amazing. This slice of poverty-stricken, desperation-filled life plays out like a 3rd world documentary. However it takes place in Queens NY, and exposes a piece of America we don't get to see in the romcom/action movie genres that dominate the country's movie industry. I'd love to see this kid become America's Apu Trilogy!

Bahrani finds an alternate dimension across the road from Shea Stadium. With an abandoned big rig at one end serving as a brothel, a lake forming through the middle for lack of drainage, and walled in by the innumerable auto repair signs of the titular chop shops, that the kids are even functioning defies belief. It occasionally shows; the dialogue can feel out of place at times, but Ale's confidence more than makes up for it. Plenty of scenes are finely honed, especially his banter with Carlos.

Few films these days brim with the kind of focus and authenticity as found in Bahrani's neo-realist slice of life. It's a simple story, yet told with rare sentiment and a great deal of truth. Isamar and especially Alejandro are both great in their respective roles, as they carry a whole load of hard life and responsibility on their fragile shoulders. And the last scene is about as perfect as a movie ending gets.

17 Nisan 08, 19:00, atlas1 sira8 koltuk9, 27.ist. film fest. yonetmenin katilimi & oyuncular cok iyiler.yonetmen klasik bir konudan iyi bir film cikarmis. son sahneyi cok iyi buldum.

Well-made contemporary realist film.

An impressive slice-of-life social-realism specimen that feels out of place for aughties American cinema, but makes a bit more sense coming from a director of Iranian descent. Gets the language right and has a good child actor.

A little too much focus on it's portrait that despite it being successful with such a gritty NY universe, I did not find the deep level of connection it tries to create with the main character and his surroundings. Still works to ground viewers with a reminder that not all life's youth are given hand outs.

I watched this as a two-for-one with Man Push Cart, so I could guess what I was getting into. This is a slice-of-life story about an enterprising homeless kid who hustles in the shadows of Shea Stadium to make money for him and his older sister. Like MPC, the cinematography is strong; this one also has two great child actors. The reason I watch movies is because I want characters to find something in life that changes them; this suggests life will continue just the way it always has.

hey quit scaring away the frigging pigeons okay?

Good Movie

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The film is but a glimpse of Alejandro's life. It has no true beginning and no real ending, but within that lies an interesting story, one of struggle and survival.

Watch for a good glimpse into poverty. If that's not your thing than you should avoid this altogether.

Very good.

Ramin Bahrani's 2nd film is the most assured and complete American film that's been released so far this year. It's kind of mesmerizing.

"With Chop Shop, Ramin Bahrani exhibits a restraint not found in his 2005 debut Man Push Cart, focusing more intently on his tale's neorealist particulars than its symbolic potential." - Nick Schager

Really good, uh..poverty porn?

Another story of kids living into extreme poverty, and getting ripped off by others around them. I was not entertained by this movie, I did not enjoy it, I did not learn anything from it. I have to wonder why this movie was made, and what was the point?