Dime with a Halo

This is a sweet story of hope, faith, disappointment, and plenty of life's lessons all centered around very likeable and wise boys. You will want everything to go their way even when they make some not-so-wise choices. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the lines that these very young men delivered in a very natural way. The boys were street-wise and yet very innocent and delivered witty lines that made this comedic drama worth watching anytime it is aired. I read the comments that disagree on whether this movie is kid appropriate. I'm pretty picky about that but I think I'd have no problem having my 11 year-old grandson watching it with me.

I was raised in the US but I saw this movie just once when I was 7 years old on Canadian TV. I have never seen this movie on American television although I believe it is a masterpiece. It made such an impact on me that I've never forgotten it. I even give it some credit for shaping my empathy and compassion. I just found out the name of the film today, after 35 years of wondering and searching(thanks Boo). One commenter wondered if this movie was suitable for children. Not only is this movie suitable for children, it should be mandatory in order to counter balance all the other junk that they are targeted for and exposed to today. This is a film that should be shown on TV every holiday season. I think the older we get, we tend to forget how sharp and comprehensive we actually were as children. Even at seven years old, I understood the beauty of this film.

Number one the cast actually included Mexicans playing Mexicans (for the most part) unusual for the early sixties and they were poor but not evil. The kids were so good at establishing memorable believable characters you rooted for them all the way.The simple plot draws you into complicity with them as their innocence is tested by a chain of circumstances beyond their control or, more often, comprehension.Rafael Campos is particularly memorable to me because of that flashing wide smile and wonderful sweetness of nature.So tiny yet loaded with personality and charm. I am dying for the day this is available on DVD so I can show it to my children.(And experience it for myself again)

Jose (Roger Mobley) and his sister move down to mexico so she can work... later on, we find out that they have really moved so that social services can't take the little brother away. Jose meets up with a local boy Chuy (Rafael López), who shows him the ropes and how to survive. Chuy and his gang snitch money from the church box to bet on the races, and they hit it BIG! but now the problem is how to collect the money, since they are minors! a gritty look at life in mexico (supposedly), where the kids sell stuff on the streets to survive. Directed by Boris Sagal, who seems to have done mostly TV series. Sadly, he died quite young of a nasty helicopter accident. unusual film... you just want to see how it will end. only 98 votes on imdb as of today. they must not show this one very often. it's okay.

One of those movies you wish would have been better. Not that it's bad, but just that there seems unrealized potential here.

Set in Tijuana in 1963, the movie does not shy away from risqué elements. Centered on a group of unwanted street children hustling for dimes from American tourists there on weekend to gamble and visit the strip clubs, the film embraces the sin of the city and uses those vices to quietly and effectively tell its morality tale. We are not hit over the head with any message, but at the end we understand one has been delivered, though maybe not the one we thought.

This is part of the film's charm, that it just shows the scenes for what they are and does not try to comment on them one way or the other. This is life in Tijuana for these boys, and their life is like anyone else's -- good days and bad. And that goes for the characters' morality as well -- good some days, bad on others.

It can get a little slow at times which is why I say it leaves you wanting a bit. The list of problems that conspire against these kids and their winning ticket could have been expanded and some delved into more to keep the pace and tension going and to avoid the lulls of melodrama.

There is humor here though, which starts from the opening scene and a current of it carries us throughout. The majority coming from the mostly stellar young cast's quips and hijjnks surrounding their situation. The film, like its characters, tries to make the best of the situation, so the humor is well placed.

All in all Dime with a Halo has many good things going for it, which is why I wished it could have worked better than it did, but despite its flaws it's a film worth checking out for those looking for something a little different from the norm.