Heartbreaker

This movie reminded me of some other early '80s movies like "Savage Streets" and "Angel" in the way it was filmed. The movie centers around the "lowrider" car enthusiast culture. The cars featured in this movie are the real stars of this show! Although the acting is bad, it's actually humourous. I don't know if it was the print the TV station was playing or if it was actually recorded like this, but the sound sounded like it was recorded in a vacuum. The plot is about an unscrupulous promotor that is trying to wipe-out a hot shot "lowrider" in the neighbourhood. Along with this, there is a love interest conflict and lots of bouncin' rides! One thing that this movie portrays is the passion the guys have for their cars. In the movie, and in reality, the people that participate in lowrider car shows really put their heart and soul into their cars. Another point with this movie is that it features an all latin cast, which is rare in movies then, and now. To sum it up, if you like car movies, especially "lowriders" bouncing on the street and totally tricked out, you will enjoy this early '80s flick that has resurfaced out of obscurity.

This film serves as a sincere narrative from a different time, earning a rightful 8.5/10 rating. Heartbreaker hits on racial themes, a rare endeavor back in the 1980s. Dawn Dunlop, though not a prolific actress (she should have done more), shines brightly and portrays her character genuinely. Fernando is a classic actor and really embraced his role, standing out even when some cast members were not living up to the potential. The story might seem straightforward (read "simple") to modern audiences, yet it reflects the era it stems from well. Judging it within its historical context, it is significantly better than when compared to a modern take. I have to admit that I'm a nerd and watched it because it is a 35mm film scan, not because I thought it would be a great film.

This film was partially filmed at my mom's house in East Los Angeles. The star (Fernando Allende) lived at mom's house, and his love interest was made to live across town, but was actually filmed at a neighbor's house across the street. Lots of scenes were filmed in the East Los Angeles and Montebello areas. The cars were the real stars of the shows. The paint jobs on some were unreal, and were to be appreciated by those who saw them in person. Check it out for a chuckle especially if you have a sense of humor (plus it doesn't hurt to be a Chicano!) - ORALE!! All in all, I've seen much worse. This film does have a special place in my heart because of my mom's house being used in the filming. :)