I Like It Like That

This film, written and Directed by black, female, Bronx native Darnell Martin captures a turbulent time in the life of a Puerto Rican couple in the Bronx, NY. What could best be described as a Latino version of 'Do The Right Thing,' the film tackles many issues such as masculinity, homosexuality, religion, race and capitalism. All wrapped up in the single half Puerto-Rican half Jamaican Lizette, issues of race abound at every corner with a mother-in-law who insists on her family coming from a pure Castillian lineage. The most thoroughly addressed topic is that of masculinity and what decrees a true man. Whether it be the misogynist and somewhat abusive father figure of Chino, or the homosexual 'Alexis,' who essentially rejects his masculinity in order to escape the trappings that Chino represents. This is a film that requires some thought and definitely some effort to go beyond the superficialities of Bronx vernacular and gay humor. This film addresses major issues found in the Latino community, from the perspective of a non-Latino. This is a very good film and if race movies interest you -such as Spike Lee Joints- this should not be missed.

I'm frankly surprised at the generally low opinion of this film. I saw it and liked it a lot. I thought it did an excellent job of hitting a very realistic tone--no Hollywood glitz or schmaltz here. Instead, we have well-scripted characters with real-life problems, and all of the pathos and humour that comes with them. This movie is alternately touching and hilarious in very effective and "true" ways, and I admire the guts it took to not give this movie a fairy-tale ending. We have no miraculous resolution, but instead a hard-fought and bittersweet partial reconciliation. The acting and writing here carry a good film to a satisfying conclusion. I'm tempted to vote higher than I really feel to boost this movie's overall rating, which I feel is undeserved.

I really enjoyed this movie when I saw it in the theatre 10 years ago. It had a real fresh quality to it, and you really rooted for the main characters. I was searching for this on imdb, and then looked at its low rating, which is inexplicable to me. And then, I saw that a large group -- perhaps the largest single plurality - voted this a 1 out of 10. That's just a crime to rate is that low.

This film has terrific acting, great characters and a couple - and their young son - who you just root for. Add to that a strong supporting ensemble, and I would unashamedly rate it a 9 out of 10. i do have to see it again, but I remember just really 'digging' this film!

Lauren Velez is great in a well-rounded role. Fresh and funny story of latino Bronx. Basic story of woman taking charge and getting ahead, but truly enjoyable and different from most of the "Lifetime stories for women" genre. Check out Rita Moreno as the mother-in-law!

Lisette Linares (Luna Lauren Velez) and Chino Linares (Jon Seda) are married with three kids in the Bronx. While he's in jail, she gets a job as an assistant to music agent Stephen Price (Griffin Dunne). Magdalena Soto (Lisa Vidal) insists that Chino is her baby's daddy. Chino's mother Rosaria Linares (Rita Moreno) hates Lisette.

Everybody is yelling. It's all very stereotypical Puerto Rican New York City. It takes a little while to acclimatize. Eventually it develops a plot which is more than just everybody yelling. At that point, these characters become real characters. The family dysfunction is a little funny and rather compelling especially for Chino and his son.