Acts of Worship

The storyline is the type of thing you find on a Lifetime Network Special or a straight-to-television movie trying to warn about the dangers of drug addiction, but this movie goes so far beyond that. It's not like it adds zany warped realities like Requiem for a Dream or it has some sort of narration keeping the audience completely informed that "this is what you should fear to be", it does everything so much simpler than that: It sits back and lets the actors eat the audience's collective heart out.

The drama in this film is SO UTTERLY CONVINCING. The performances get first prize for portrayals that, even when you want to try and find something wrong with it (I'm guessing this film might be considered too sentimental by some), keep the drama serious and prominent, not allowing the audience to let go of their suspension of disbelief. If it wasn't for the production quality, it would seem like this was a documentary and these were real people. And it's not just Ana and Michael, the two main characters, it's everyone, from the boyfriends to the crack addicts that have two seconds of screen time to everyone.

Secondly, the cinematography and editing are very well tuned to excellence. This movie definitely has the feel of an independent film, but more than that it doesn't have that "Look at me, I'm independent!" feel. Skewed angles and purposeful jump cuts exist stylistically in the film, but they come at the right times and are completely necessary, versus what tends to happen in a lot of independent cinema where the camera becomes relatively self-conscious and goes places it needn't. For example, the hand-held quality of this film is almost invisible, while some independent films tend to show off their independence via hand-held in a wannabe cinema-verite sort of conceit.

It's disappointing that I haven't heard anything about this film before. I literally picked it up because it was the first movie on the first row of the first aisle to rent because I wanted to surprise myself, and whadyaknow but it happened to be a real gem! I hope it builds a bigger audience because it deserves to be recognized.

--PolarisDiB

I believe this was a marvelous accomplishment which brought out the truth of living on the streets. Rosemary Rodriguez experienced it so, no one can say that this is cliché. Not even in relating it to other films in this genre. Alix's character is a drug addict right? but we believe her to have a grasp over it. that she is more than the addiction. this is partly true. like the director said, "there's humanity in everyone one of them". our belief at this point is predetermined but vanishes with change. with her willingness to stay clean being severed by the acts of her conscious temptations and every junkie around her. we believe her to live two lives. a straight life and a drugged up life. as in when she's playing with louie. kinda carefree, laughing. she, for the most part, separates herself from it, from the addiction, but she still has that guilt like when digna takes her picture with louie. even when she runs away from dignas place and pretends that she's clean around her friends, shooting them off and swearing at them. then, a day later she's back into her fix. that doesn't happen a whole lot in other films. Wonderful cinematography and great performances that make this film very believable. This film is very vivid and blunt with the characters addictions. It makes you cringe just seeing it. surely surreal. i like the directors use of narration from the main character's point of view or the non-verbal narration through what the character may be experiencing in their mind. What's the difference between reality and fallibility. But there's a good plot structure so it's not just random. not predictable. sure as heck not. One event stirs off the next. there's a sense of serenity that the characters meet up with and it's interesting how you seem slip out of it once again. some of it real serenity, some of it false. real heart wrenching. makes you feel for people who get involved with drugs and alcohol. how you're not only responsible for yourself but others. makes you investigate your own crutches. makes you examine your own life. yup. so anyways. Go out and rent it today!

This well made and worthy first film by Rosemary Rodriguez is a must see film for anyone with a loved one, friend or interest in drug addiction. It is moving, informative and interesting and obviously a labor of love and hard-won knowledge. Ana Reeder and Nestor Rodriguez shine brightly in a cast of great convincing actors that bring you along into their story of pain, loss, redemption, and tragedy and hope as believably and naturally as I've seen. And the story is honest, raw and strong. Rosemary Rodrigez really can handle the typewriter and an indie film crew. I started to watch this little masterpiece 3 months ago on a houseboat with a beat up 17" TV and several noisy friends. The beautiful opening and music immediately cried out to me for a better and more respectful viewing and I packed the DVD away in a Manhattan bound bag. Last night I finally had a good movie friend over and decent screen and sound system and broke out Acts Of Worship. Both of us know the Lower Side of the the early 90's and love great movies. This is a winner. Great Story. Great Visuals. Great Locations. Great Sound. Great Acting. Great Lean and Raw Directing.

Rent or buy a copy ASAP. Love your friends and family and share it with them. Don't let go of hope, don't give up on truth. Be useful, act kindly and bravely, and see Acts of Worship.

I recently rent the DVD and I think it's one of the best films I've ever seen. It's about a young druggie in Lower Manhattan and her friendship with a photographer, who happens to be a former junkie as well. The film is really well written and the lead actress, Ana Reeder is a revelation (well maybe not for me, I had the chance to see her last year in a Broadway play with Laura Linney). What I liked about the film is that while it's almost documentary-like it doesn't exploit the actors (something that has happened in other movies with similar topics), the use of music is very good and there is a monologue at the end of the film that made me cry.

I can't really say that I enjoyed this movie, considering the subject nature...but it did make me think, and most importantly, feel.

Alix and Digna seem like two totally different people. Alix is a drug addict. She lives on the streets of NYC and lives a daily life of finding money and a fix and a place to sleep - in that order, often doing shady things to accomplish them. Digna is a successful photographer who has a great boyfriend, a nice apartment and seems to be rapidly advancing through her career.

Digna lives next door to someone that Alix gets high with and they know each other on a first-name basis. Soon, they both end up entering each other's worlds, and finding out just how similar their lives really are.

I feel like many of the scenes in this film are very realistic, especially the scenes of Alix on the street and how she lives her daily life. I think Ana Reeder did a great job in those scenes, and must have done quite a bit of research before playing this role.

I felt a little different regarding Michael Hyatt (Digna). Some of the scenes seemed a little shallow as far as acting - not enough depth into the character. I don't think this was mostly her fault though, I think the script could have been better in some places, such as the scenes with Digna and her boyfriend, Anthony (Nestor Rodriquez). I didn't feel like they were much of a loving couple, just kind of bland and blah.

All in all though, this film is a very refreshing change from the over-acted, over-produced, high budget dramas that are out there. The movement of the camera and angles made this film seem like you were watching a documentary at times - which to me, is a good thing. I applaud the director, Rosemary Rodriquez, for taking a step to make this film. She mentions in the featurette on the DVD that she didn't want to glamorize drug addiction but show it for what it really is. She did a great job.

I felt like there was so much beauty in the scenes of the film - I love watching the streets of NYC, however, what goes on isn't always beautiful. Very tragic. Rosemary Rodriquez has helped us to see humanity on the streets.