A Moeda da Sorte

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.

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.

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.

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.

As this story unfolded in front of me on TCM a couple of days ago, I seemed to recall seeing this film decades ago. WHY does TCM play some classics so routinely that you groan when they are aired while films like this languish for, perhaps, years between airings? TCM is a maddeningly incompetent steward of the film treasury in its possession. But about this film...

Another commentator notes that it was marketed to children. I have no reason to argue the point; I don't know. I do, however, find it difficult to imagine that this film was intended for a juvenile audience. But I also find it difficult to imagine how this story ever made it into production in the first place. I find this film astonishing. Do not misunderstand - I love this movie, and moreover, I respect everything and everybody associated with its production. I am simply amazed that anybody in Hollywood thought this was a good commercial venture in the '60's! Why, you ask? First, it is not merely a story about Latinos, but a story about Latino kids in the streets of Tijuana. Moreover, as another commentator notes, the characters are portrayed primarily by Latino actors! How marvelous and unusual is that - in and of itself?

But the story is equally marvelous and unusual. It portrays a milieu that has seldom been portrayed, and never more accurately and vividly. The streets of Tijuana, the dressing room at the strip club, the automotive "graveyard" - in fact, all of the scenes are captured with rare authenticity. But more than that, it is a film about faith, and realizing that contentment and happiness are not dependent upon external circumstances (even wealth) but on the heart. This message is in total conflict with most of Hollywood's productions.

The POINT of the story, or moral, if you will, is obviously a very good one for young people. The paradox is that the STORY, itself, is set in an environment to which most people do not want young children exposed. There are many adult situations, even though these are handled with restraint. Moreover, there really is not enough action to sustain the interest of many young people.

The acting is uniformly good, occasionally outstanding. Barbara Luna is beautiful and delivers a great, nuanced performance. However, this movie stands or falls on the strength of the child actors. I think the film stands TALL! I have never seen a film with more good performances by juvenile actors. They are outstanding!

The B/W filming works hand-in-glove with the bleak settings and the story. I don't know what the budget of this film was, but the production values are much higher than you'd expect.

I highly recommend this little gem for those of you interested in a "little film" centered on the dilemmas of youth portrayed by an excellent young cast.