Filly Brown -- Film Review #1

Filly Brown – Film Review #1

One thing about music is that when it hits you feel no pain. Youssef Delara and Michael Olmos’ Filly Brown echoes that theme. Majo (Gina Rodriguez) is an aspiring Latino rapper who struggles between staying true to herself and conforming to the “sexed up” music industry in order to sign a record deal. The film carries a double plot in that her father Jose (Lou Diamond Phillips) faces a similar decision of adhering to an “upper class world” in order to keep his construction job.

The movie begins with some verses from Majo’s first song to debut on the radio. From the beginning, you can tell that this girl raps from the heart because her lyrics are real and meaningful. The camera moves around the various neighborhoods of Los Angeles, especially the lower class areas where Majo lives. The cinematography of these neighborhoods infers that times in this area are tough and people will do anything to get by and help their family.

Staying true to family is a common theme throughout the film as Majo desperately tries to help her drug-addicted mother, Maria (Jenni Rivera), when she finds out there might be a break in her drug conviction charge. Majo visits her mother in the Chino Women’s Penitentiary even though her father warns her not to. However, Majo has a good heart and is naïve despite her verses that portray her as wise.

The film is the classic rise and fall of the protagonist due to fame and success. Majo begins her journey to stardom through verses that her mom “writes” to her from prison, begging Majo to perform the songs on the radio and at shows. Most of Majo’s verses originate from her mother’s copyright infringements and later during Majo’s “fall” from stardom she is almost sued by her record label for the infringement unbeknownst to her.

In the meantime, Delara and Olmos craft an unoriginal story about following one’s dreams and trying to remain afloat in the industry. The multiple characters are colorful and vivid – the characters are not merely accidental, rather the characters all have some reason as to why they appear in the film. Perhaps, one of the most colorful, yet sleazy characters in the film is Rayborn Ortiz (Chingo Bling), a Latino music promoter who is a cross between a wannabe “Valley Kid” and Mexican cowboy. He plays a vital role in the movie as he attempts to change Majo’s look from tomboy to sex kitten. He succeeds for a while, until Majo falls from her stardom.

Majo’s fall from stardom is similar to many movies in which the protagonist lets fame take hold of him or her. It seems that everyone knows Majo will hit bottom – all except Majo herself. She succumbs to the industry’s wants, even if it means sacrificing parts of who she is. This is all for good reason, though. Majo is under the false impression that her mother’s drug charge may be dropped if Majo raises $3,000 to give to the lawyer. No surprise, Maria uses the $3,000 to pay back her debts and obtain drugs. Like a loving daughter, Majo still tries to support her mother.

Not only is Majo’s selfless love one of the most important aspects of the movie, but also the fact that Majo’s verses are poetic and real. Not to mention, Majo is tough and I have respect for any girl that can kick a guy’s ass while still looking her best.

The viewer knows what to expect while watching this film. They know that Majo will lose her closest friends but then regain them through some large event that brings them all back together. The scene that brings the cast full circle comes when Majo’s rival, MC Wyatt (Joseph Julian Sora), almost puts Majo’s love interest, DJ Santa (Braxton Millz), into a coma. MC and his crew vandalize Majo’s house and take her hostage, forcing her dad to reconnect with his friends from construction that he was forced to fire in order to save her life. Shocker, they save her – the viewer knows that inevitable fact.

The movie wraps up with DJ Santa recovering from his beating and Majo, Jose, and her sister Lupe (Chrissie Fit) visiting her mom in prison. This is the moment where Majo has an epiphany and accepts who she is and who she will become. She no longer needs to hide behind another person’s lyrics; rather she can finally be herself. Her dad finally accepts his ex-wife as he and Maria attempt to touch each other’s hands through the prison glass. This is one of the most touching scenes in the movie.

Filly Brown delivers through its electric characters rather than the tired out plot. The movie reminds everyone that dreams are meant to be followed but not losing yourself in the fame is the greatest reward.

Credit Block:

Venue: Sundance Film Festival (U.S. Dramatic Competition)

Production companies: Cima Productions, Olmos Productions, Silent Giant Entertainment

Cast: Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera, Lou Diamond Phillips, Edward James Olmos, Emilio Rivera, Joseph Julian Sora, Braxton Millz, Chingo Bling, Jorge Diaz, Chrissie Fit, Noel Gugliemi

Directors: Youssef Delara, Michael D. Olmos

Screenwriter: Youssef Delara

Producers: Victor Teran, Amir Delara, Mico Olmos, Edward “E-dub” Rios, Khool-Aid Rios

Executive producers: Edward James Olmos, Kevin Smith, Homa Sorror

Director of photography: Ben Kufrin

Production designer: Krystyna Loboda

Music: Reza Safinia

Costume designer: Jill Machlis

Editors: Youseff Delara, Eric R. Brodeur

No rating, 100 minutes.