Illegal Tender (2007)

Powerful

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Twenty one years ago (1985), Millie, married to Wilson Deleon a drug dealer and pregnant with her first child seems to be living a pretty stable life in the Bronx. Well one night, things take a deadly turn when Wilson is gunned down in the company of top boss man Javier Cordero. Millie soon finds out the tragic news on the same night of giving birth and is eventually warned about her future date with death with the same thugs who killed her husband. Twenty one years later, Millie and Wilson are living a quiet life in Connecticut. Pretty soon, the bad guys catch up to them once again and Millie and Wilson begin to fear for their lives. After learning the truth about his father, Wilson goes to Puerto Rico to meet with and settle the score with Javier Cordero. Cliché as it may seem, the movie is good for what it is. Its not Oscar material but its still easy to watch. Wanda DeJesus and Rick Gonzalez make a dynamic duo as mother and son. DeJesus is sexy in her role and gives a kick ass performance. Rick Gonzalez is fairly decent as the son who wants to be nothing like his father, all while delivering a bold and solid performance in his fight to end the feud with Cordero. The beautiful Dania Ramirez is a great addition as the scared, but sympathetic and loving girlfriend to Wilson. Over all, good film, simple dialogue, cool action. This is definitely a good film to watch on a rainy day.

The movie while having a few actors that I've never heard of before, had a decent plot line and a halfway decent acting cast. Like any other gangster/drama/revenge movies, it is centered around the typical genera of any other movie. Money,payback and settling old scores.I was not expecting a whole lot from the movie, but I was rather impressed with the acting skills of the female actress and the commanding presence for a female actress in a lead role.Definitely a shocker, worth renting with a decent plot line and cast and crew. Starts off kind of slow, but it leaves you anticipating whats going to happen next.I won't go into detail, why spoil it, rent it and see what you think for yourself.

I applaud this film for portraying the Puerto Rican heritage and culture with respect. The producer is trying to bring it into more prominence in the film industry. The family values portrayed by the actors are not typical, but they are commendable nevertheless.The actors are credible in their roles as mother, son, and girlfriend. The supporting cast is not quite so good. Dialog is stilted and delivered like a stage production.It moves along pretty well and the back story is well done, although it is not clear why the money is such an issue until very late in the film, and then it's clear that the money is NOT the issue.The problem I have with the film is the incredible plot leaps of faith where a hostile faction (MOM) is able to penetrate a heavily guarded establishment without being discovered and then ice the villain and escape easily.Mothers skill with the pistols is absolutely over the top and not credible.The 'assassins' are totally incompetent and couldn't hit the broadside of a barn when standing next to it.Those things bothered me, but not enough to miss the true point of this film: a mother's love is the fiercest love of all. She will do anything to protect her children.

21 years after her husband, a drug dealer looking to get out, is gunned down, a woman finds that her husband's cronies are still looking to kill her and her family. Her son at first doesn't believe her, but when he's forced to defend the family home against attackers plan are made to turn the tables on the attackers.Good little action thriller from John Singleton. I don't know what else to say but this is an old school style crime thriller that has characters you care about and real tension that comes from the characters and situations. Definitely worth a look at some point.6.5 out of 10