First up, Mixed Blood is no Citizen Kane (Personally, I think Citizen Kane is highly overrated, but you get my point). However, it is a very enjoyable, funny and entertaining. The acting on occasion is poor but in a strange way this adds to the sense of realism. Richard Ulacia is a dreadful actor but due to the fact that he is playing a retarded mummy's boy means that he is perfect for this role!
Marilia Pera is excellent as Rita La Punta (she starred in Central Station) and whilst she shows sincere motherly love for all her 'adopted' drug running boys, she still manages to exude a real air of menace for her rivals drug dealers.
There are some very funny scenes in this film. I suspect most of them were intentional, although some are not. However, be warned if you like Merchant and Ivory films you will not find any humour in this film! If you hate Merchant and Ivory films, you should have a rib tickling time.
On a more serious note, one of the plot lines involves NYC's finest helping the drug dealers eliminate their rivals. In the light of the Larry Davis case (where Larry, a teenager, was allegedly employed by South Bronx police officers to sell drugs) and the fact that, in retrospect, this film was shot in the same year, you really do get a sense of gritty realism.
The musical score is excellent and matches the style and look of the film perfectly. The fine use of latin classics from Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon will have you shimmying in your seat.
If you like Scarface and Carlito's Way, rent this film on a Saturday night (when there is nothing much on TV) and you will not be disappointed.
Marilia Pera is excellent as Rita La Punta (she starred in Central Station) and whilst she shows sincere motherly love for all her 'adopted' drug running boys, she still manages to exude a real air of menace for her rivals drug dealers.
There are some very funny scenes in this film. I suspect most of them were intentional, although some are not. However, be warned if you like Merchant and Ivory films you will not find any humour in this film! If you hate Merchant and Ivory films, you should have a rib tickling time.
On a more serious note, one of the plot lines involves NYC's finest helping the drug dealers eliminate their rivals. In the light of the Larry Davis case (where Larry, a teenager, was allegedly employed by South Bronx police officers to sell drugs) and the fact that, in retrospect, this film was shot in the same year, you really do get a sense of gritty realism.
The musical score is excellent and matches the style and look of the film perfectly. The fine use of latin classics from Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon will have you shimmying in your seat.
If you like Scarface and Carlito's Way, rent this film on a Saturday night (when there is nothing much on TV) and you will not be disappointed.