RUPERTREVIEWS

1999 was a good year for ‘small films' at the Toronto International Film Festival. Goat On Fire and Smiling Fish, Wonderland, Killing By Inches and the poorly marketed, "Joe The King" were all deserving of praise and larger audiences. Harlem Aria was one more card in this straight flush of distinctive films.

Gabriel Casseus is fantastic as Anton, the simple-minded savant who unknowingly has a gift...for singing Opera! To Anton it's just something he loves to do.

When most teenage boys are up in their room masturbating, Anto is up in his room singing. Singing. Singing.

The focus being mainly on the character of Anton made Harlem

Aria the sweet and funny film that it was.

It would be interesting to find out what inspired William Jennings to write and direct this story and to find out how he approached Paul Sorvino to portray the fictional opera great Fabiano Grazzi who crosses paths with Anton.

Rating 8 TWIZZLERS out of 10 TWIZZLERS