Mixed Blood

i just love this film. its now on DVD w/ great commentary by Paul Morrissey. Gritty, realistic, violent...and hilariously funny! as the film started i wondered why i'd never seen this film on TV and after watching it, i realized that w/ the F-bomb being shouted at about 30 times per minute, the film would have to be cut down to literally nothing for TV viewing. The story centers around Rita La Punta--mother & leader of a gang of underage drug dealers/thugs. She's the Portugese answer to Ma Barker and cares deeply about her little gang of hoodlums. Marilia Pera who plays her gives an over-the-top performance that carries this film and adds to much of the humor ("Dis whooore, Dis Beeetch"). Her VERY HOT son Thiago is a bit slow and not too bright but is the apple of her eye and protects him like a mama bear--tho her and him sleeping very close in the same bed together raises an eyebrow or two on just how close they really are. The actor who plays him--Richard Ulacia--shouts all of his lines in an angry thick accent. His favorite being "I don't like it!!!" Did anyone notice that literally everyone in this film had a foreign accent??? because so many of the performances are so over-the-top, the humor comes on subtle, unintentionally and broad at times. the genius in this film is how Morrissey found humor in such a grim and realistic setting. where can i get the soundtrack? i loved the Latin sounds that permiated this movie. Very entertaining, moves along nicely and you will find yourself chuckling uncontrollably at times.

The most interesting aspect of this movie, by far, is the fact that it was directed by longtime Andy Warhol cohort Paul Morrissey. But unlike his stuff from the 70s, like Flesh for Frankenstein and Trash, Morrissey's Mixed Blood is rather mundane. It's a pedestrian story about rival drug gangs in NYC, one Latino and one Brazilian. There's a fair amount of action and fake blood, and the overall look is one of grime and grit and other traits typical of 1980s New York. And if you look real hard, as I did not, you might spot John Leguizamo in his film debut. He's part of the Latino gang, the Maceteros. But other than that, there's not much to say about this movie. It exists, it's directed by Paul Morrissey, and then it ends. Sure, it feels realistic, but so does a root canal.

(1985) Mixed Blood ACTION CRIME DRAMA

Co-written and directed by Paul Morrissey that has a low budget, and although interesting, it could've been better. The movie focuses on some of the worst slums called "Alphabet City", a slang name of a neighborhood located within the East Village in the New York City borough of Manhattan. Its name comes from Avenues A, B, C, and D, the only avenues in Manhattan to have single-letter names. And depicting a point in time when crime was frequent since it was common knowledge that some of the NYC police were corrupt. Anyways, out of two rival gang factions competing for illegal drug selling, it sympathizes more on one of them lead by a lady who derived from Rio De Janeiro whose name is Rita La Punta (Marília Pêra) who happen to have a good looking son she calls Thiago(Richard Ulacia). Complications arise as soon as one of two rival gang member, Carol(Linda Kerridge) sought a liking to Thiago, Rita's second hand man, allowing the possibility for The German (Ulrich Berr) to take full control. Besides the budget being low, viewers would also have to endure many second rate acting. It explains itself well but could've been better.

I can't help it - I love to watch this movie - I love the cheesy soundtrack (salsa rhythms played on an old Casio keyboard). I love the way Marilia Pena delivers her lines. (This is the wonderful woman from Pixote!) If there is anyone out there who actually liked Spike of Bensonhurst - you would also enjoy this - I own both movies - They are both by Paul Morrisey (He made many of the Andy Warhol films) - It's a hard sell, recommending this movie - I imagine it could outrage a lot of people - It is alternately a dark comedy and a bittersweet drama - Hard to find people who appreciate both -

This film should be given more credit. Parts of this film has been copied in many Drug/Gangster Films after this film's release. Example:In the beginning of the film were they throw the kid off the roof. This act is copied in the movie Above The Rim. Scarface may be the only other drug movie that has been copied more. I be the first to admit that the acting is not up to par and in my opinion that really gives the film a more sense of realism. By the acting being that way it is it has given the film a documentary feel in my opinion. It makes you wonder whether or not a film crew was following around real drug dealers. Ricahrd Ulacia as Thiago in my opinion was okay. But Marlia Pera was excellent. The part were she breaks out in song was over the top but it enhanced her character in the movie. That part really showed the characters dual personality. Watch the movie and you will understand what I'm saying. The problem is that this movie will never become mainstream because of how real it is. Scarface was fantasy with some realism, Mixed Blood was all real. It gives you sense on how it was in the ghetto at that time. It shows how dirty some cops are. The Spanish was on point. The soundtrack was excellent. To me that made the movie. They're better films out there but this unique in it's own way