Raising Victor Vargas

On New York's Lower East Side, like so many Latino teens, Victor feels the need to impress the girls with smooth talk. Conquest is everything. But then he falls for a local beauty, and his heartbreaker reputation won't wash any more. Meanwhile, his grandmother is blaming him for corrupting his younger brother and sister. A small, slightly too sweet, but otherwise wholly charming low key comedy about dating rituals, coming of age and family responsibility, Sollett's film (formerly known as Long Way Home) succeeds thanks to winning performances from all concerned, an admirably unpretentious, direct approach to narrative, and an air of authenticity that even informs the many fine one liners.