Resurrection Blvd.

This outstanding series gives PBS's "American Family" a run for its money as the finest series about a typical, all-American family. Superbly acted across the board, from proud, tough-love Patriarch Roberto (the excellent Tony Plana), struggling sister-in-law Bibi (Elizabeth Pena - why isn't this woman a star?) and her loving son Tommy (the underrated Douglas Spain) to always-reliable veterans Rita Moreno and Glynn Turman... this series strikes gold on all counts, from the fine acting and directing to the smart scripts and warm designs. Let's hope Paramount resurrects seasons two and three on DVD in the not-too-distant-future. It's impossible not to fall in love with these characters. Bravo!

The characters in this show are likable. This series tried to resist racial stereotyping and ended up making Latino culture palatable for a wider audience. Although some scenes were paced more slowly than I would have preferred, dramatic suspense is well managed, and the acting in this mini-series is generally excellent. It would be fun to see a full-length feature film using this cast. I like the fact that the lead characters are not in the economic bracket of those who have necessarily "made it" financially, but represent likable, hard working people (such as the woman who owns her own restaurant and works there constantly and her husband who comes in for an occasional drink,) who talk to each other about their goals and aspirations. This show reminds me somewhat of the Novellas that appear on Telemundo and Univision, but of course the primary language is English. Nevertheless, occasional lines in Spanish add to the realism and local flavor of this production, which caused me to wish that the show were still in production. The struggles that these characters go through are compelling, such as a foster child learning to forgive his foster father and a family learning to deal with the loss of the patriarch of the family to prostate cancer. I liked the fact that substantial issues were being addressed in a way that made me like the characters and want to invite them into my living room.

If it is true that Latino culture has a vitality that is sought after and needed in the United States, then this show offers what could be a glimpse into what that is all about. Characters that are coming to terms with their own shortcomings and learning to embrace each other and celebrate their heritage form a nice platform for the diversity one expects in a blended minority family. For this reason I was willing to forgive occasional awkward moments when the dialog seemed to lack that special spark that would have been needed to make the show into a masterpiece, or when the occasional sub plot fizzled out without sufficient development to give it a firm place in the story line, as well as I was able to forgive the occasional lack of character development on the part of some of the minor characters.

Resurrection Boulevard (RB) is not about boxing, romantic love and sex, gangbangers and crime, Mexican/American culture, or life in an East L.A. barrio though all are components. RB is about a family.

RB is not a soapy melodrama or silly sitcom or a gritty docudrama about a downtrodden underclass. RB is, however, a serious though somewhat sanitized attempt to show the day-to-day struggles of an all adult family and the ties that bind them; loyalty, love, heritage, and religious conviction.

Perhaps the most refreshing and satisfying aspect of RB is the way it avoids the cheap, cheesy, trite and proven ways of maintaining audience interest. There are no cliff hangers, no phony happy endings, no schmaltz or tear jerking, and no melodrama. There is, however, a staunch adherence to the true character of the shows principals and a sense of integrity and noble purpose.

The makers of RB should be commended for gambling that the transcendent humanity of the series would bridge the culture gap and satisfy the appetites of the viewing public at large sufficient to be successful. Let's hope their efforts are not in vain.

I enjoyed Resurrection Blvd's first episode a great deal! Not only is it a rare drama about a Latino family, but it seems so real and refreshing! Yes, it contains all the soap-opera/drama elements, but there's more... a darker/more truthful side. No details here, as it could spoil the show for someone. There's a whole family of interesting, realistic men and women who just seem to grow on you too quickly. The production values are excellent, the acting above average and the casting is out of sight! A little patience may be necessary as it will certainly take a little while for the actors to iron out all the wrinkles in their characters, but it will be a reward to see this show grow!

I started watching Resurrection Blvd. about 2 years and found it to be a compelling drama with an attractive cast. Issues the Santiago family faced were self-identity, homosexuality, rape, gambling death of a loved one and so on. Being that there were fans of the show, why did Showtime cancel it? The run was not long and there was no grand finale. Anyone have details behind this cancellation? Perhaps Showtime will produce a series finale movie to give the show and it's fans some closure that it deserves!