***SPOILERS AHEAD***

Have you heard of the film The Ministers? I didn’t either until last Tuesday when John Leguizamo sent a tweet about the film. I immediately went to search for more information on the film and watch the trailer.

Once I realized that it was a new Franc. Reyes film, had an all-star cast of people of Color, and centered the stories of people living in NYC I knew I wanted to see the film. I very quickly began to realize that I had never heard of the film because I had not heard anyone talk about it nor had I seen any trailers. Marketing for the film was/is less than exceptional. All the more reason to have my time and money counted for on opening day.

As the week progressed and Friday got closer, lots of media was created online about how the film was not receiving any marketing as other films coming out the same day. One of the main contributors to the online community voices was Casper Martinez with Latino Film Chatter. Commentary went from anger to the lack of marketing for the film, to encouraging communities to see the film, to boycotting AMC theaters (specifically 42nd Street which is one of two theaters showing the film in NYC). The boycott did occur later in the evening on Friday, but I was not there to participate. You may view a video created by and with folks at Being Latino here.

I purchased a ticket for the afternoon screening with my homegirl Ryan, we were joined by 4 other men in one of the smallest screens at the 42nd street location. Now, I’ve seen hundreds of films at this location and know this is one of the smaller screens where more independent films are shown, however I also saw Jennifer’s Body in that same theater on the same screen two weeks ago as well.

Before I begin with my review of the film I want to share my bias: I adore Wanda De Jesus (Illegal Tender, The Insider) and Benny Nieves (Illegal Tender, Miss Congeniality 2). Both of them are in this film and that alone was reason enough for me to see the film. Now, the film has some positive aspects and some areas for improvement. This is the latest by director, writer, and producer Franc. Reyes (Illegal Tender, Empire) and is the story of a NYPD detective, Celeste Santana, who seeks to avenge the murder of her father who was killed by vigilantes in the Bronx who are known as The Ministers.

The Ministers are twin brothers Dante and Perfecto Mendoza played by John Leguizamo (Nothing Like The Holidays, Love In The Time of Cholera) and have received this name because of the religious pamphlet they leave after each of the murders they commit. Celeste, played by Florencia Lozano (One Life To Live), witnessed her father’s, Alberto played by Benny Nieves, murder on her birthday as did her mother, Gina played by Diane Venora (The Insider, True Crime). We discover that Alberto was an officer partnered with Harvey Keitel (Be Cool, Clockers) and now Celeste is “the rookie” detective partnered with him. Acting as her father figure and friend, Keitel mentors and supports Celeste in her career and as she is courted and creates a relationship with Dante Mendoza, whom she is unaware killed her father.

A historical element of the story that Reyes incorporates is the infamous burning of Bronx apartment buildings by (slum)/landlords. Reyes shares the story of the Mendoza brothers who survived the burning of their apartment building when they were 10 years old, with Perfecto’s face being severely burned on the right side. Both of their parents die in the fire and are raised by their older brother, Luis played by newcomer Josh Segarra who is a minister. The Mendoza brothers are raised in an extremely religious environment and Luis creates his own congregation. Perfecto begins to internalize his survival and see it as a symbol for becoming a vigilante to promote the ideology of “an eye for an eye” and avenge his parent’s death. Things become complicated when Luis is murdered outside of a local bodega and Perfecto sees Officer Alberto Santana standing over his body and then running.

The story gets more complex when the Mendoza brothers murder two slumlords who are released from prison decades after they killed Officer Santana. They leave their trademark pamphlet and the death of Santana is reopened. Captain Diaz, played by Wanda De Jesus, appoints two new detectives to the case: Manso played by Manny Perez (Nothing Like The Holidays, Pride And Glory) and DeMarco played by Saul Stein (He Got Game) who were previously undercover in the narcotics division. Once they are on the case copycats whom leave faux pamphlets resembling that of The Ministers commit a mass murder of several drug dealers. The murders of several of his colleagues and friends leads narcotics dealer and mastermind Carlos Rojas played by Luis Antonio Ramos (The Ruins, CSI) and his sidekick Jesse Montoya played by Rick Sepulveda (Illegal Tender) to uncover that Manso and DeMarco are “dirty” cops.

We rarely hear these stories from such perspectives and Reyes must be commended for his efforts in writing this screenplay. Not only does he have a story with a strong Latina lead, and by strong I mean someone beyond a mother who sacrifices her life for her children or partner, but a woman who has convictions, flaws, authority, and power and does not misuse it to oppress others; but all of the Latina characters are just as strong and complex. The devastatingly beautiful and incredibly fierce Wanda De Jesus oversees the police officers and also mentors Celeste in her role as Captain Diaz. In addition, I did not get the impression that any of the female leads were shaped or driven by their desire to be with a man or have a man claim them as their partner.

I also enjoyed that Reyes’ film did not tell a completely linear story. This may be a challenge for some viewers, but I found this refreshing. Not only does this form of storytelling challenge the way we understand history and ourselves, but it also allows us to recognize the multiple ways our lives intersect with others. Reyes’ use of symbolism is extremely broad as he brings in elements from Catholicism, Bronx daily life, and the rituals we each create in our daily lives. Reyes’ strongest moment cinematography moment was when filming the Mendoza brothers. We have various perspectives of which to view the brothers as they interact with one another.

In addition, I always find it exciting to try and see where a (new) director creates a unique feel for a film, or adds their own creative elements. My homegirl Ryan had pointed out that Reyes seems to enjoy the slower moving scenes, such as when Celeste is remembering her father and slowly drinking a glass of wine. There is also a level of silence that is incorporated in such scenes that I find important to also recognize as a viewer. Silence means something in those spaces and I think there are times when Reyes uses silence to his advantage to tell the story. Finally, it is my opinion that Luis Antonio Ramos and Rick Sepulveda literally steal the screen! Their portrayals were compelling and engaging in ways that stood out in comparison to their peers.

There are some flaws: I was not convinced by Lozano’s performance of Celeste and found her to be a bit overly dramatic. This could be because of her background in soap opera’s, yet there were times where I got the impression she was really not Celeste. It was very clear she was performing. Perhaps this was intentional, to show that Celeste was always uncomfortable and putting up a tough front when she was still very much vulnerable. Yet that vulnerability was not something I read in Lozano’s performance.

There was also the way the film transitioned from scene to scene. Many of the transitions were not as smooth and were quite abrupt. I understand that for many of us transitions can be abrupt, yet this quality made it difficult for me to really engage with the film and with the characters. I had to think about why the last scene was relevant to the one I was watching and it was a bit distracting.

At the end of the day, those two critiques are minimal in comparison to seeing yourself represented on the “big screen,” knowing that the money you spent will be counted, and matters.

The VL Verdict: 8 out of 10.

Although I’ve provided a few spoilers, I don’t tell you how the movie ends and that’s in hopes that you take the time to support the film, Franc. Reyes, and all of the amazing actors who worked so hard to create this film for us.

Here’s a video by Franc. Reyes posted by Casper Martinez discussing the current topics surrounding the film and his reasons for you to support the film: