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Review #520 of 365
Movie Review of Illegal Tender (2007) [R] 108 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $11.25
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavilions Stadium 15, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 6 September 2007
Time: 7:15 pm
DVD Release Date: 18 December 2007 (click date to purchase or pre-order)
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer
Soundtrack: Download now from 
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Directed by: Franc. Reyes (Empire)
Written by: Franc. Reyes (Beauty)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Wanda De Jesus ("CSI: Miami") • Rick Gonzalez (For Your Consideration) • Dania Ramirez (X-men: The Last Stand) • Antonio Ortiz (Just Like the Son) • Jessica Pimentel ("Law & Order: SVU") • Manny Perez (Cantante, El) • Gary Perez ("The Unit") • Zulay Henao ("Army Wives")
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Click to read the spoiler points for Illegal Tender
" Despite some glimpses of promise, Illegal Tender needed more work. "
20 years later, Wilson (now played by Rick Gonzalez) is grown up and has steady college girlfriend, Anna (Dania Ramirez). Millie (no played by Wanda De Jesus) had a fling along the line leading to the birth of Randy (Antonio Ortiz) out of wedlock. She has been an incredible mother, and due to very savvy investing, has turned her late husband's earnings into a huge fortune. They live in a gigantic home with every amenity. Life is good, that is, on the surface. Millie has been living in a constant state of fear, having already relocated her family twice, that she will be found, and that Javier Cordero will come after her and her sons to get 'his' money. (For more plot details and spoilers, see the spoiler points.)
The beginning of the film is a bit disjointed and a little hard to follow. Without prior knowledge as to who's on whose side, it takes some time to figure out what's going on. Then it suddenly fast-forwards 20 years requiring a similar period of time figuring out who each person is. Mr. Reyes seems to confuse this temporary loss of comprehension with intrigue. His characters have lots of hidden motivations, none more than Millie, and most of which were revealed by the somewhat surprising, but semi-unrealistic ending. The heart of the film, actually, beats to the tune of a fairly old-fashioned motif, that of vengeance. However, rarely, has such a strong female character wreaked hers so well. Wanda De Jesus commands the screen when she's on. Tough yet refined, hardened by a life of constant worry and looking over her shoulder, she's a mother first, and a gun-toting protectorate second. Meanwhile, though, she hasn't really raised her sons to learn to protect themselves—which could prove a problem if she succumbs to surprise leaving them exposed and alone. She had never wanted them to know the secrets of her past, and this lack of information could prove fatal for everyone she loves. With sensible sophistication and marked determination, Ms. De Jesus creates a dynamic and independent Millie who's remarkable and smooth. Rick Gonzalez, unfortunately, seems, with his long, extra-curly locks, nearly the opposite of the son she would have raised. His character is occasionally hypercritical, disrespectful, and obnoxious to her, and he plays the role as if he's as much her antagonist as Javier Cordero. The character and the portrayal are equally at odds with the rest of the film. While the ending provides the much-needed clues to understanding Cordero's blood lust, the source of Wilson's rage is never thoughtfully pursued. He often comes across as 'way-too-big-for-his-britches' and downright smug. Gary Perez is perfect as the seemingly soulless Cordero who later reveals the depth of pain he bears.
It seems that lately, many films have been criticized for poor pacing in that they are far too slow in spots. Illegal Tender faces a similar problem taking too much time really on ancillary characters. Arguably, the entire character of Randy could have been cut with no loss other than that actor, Antonio Ortiz, is quite loveable in the role. However, the film is too fast in other spots creating a false sense of greater frenzy and action than there really is and developing a false sense of suspense that never pays off. The 'big' secret isn't big enough to warrant all this mystery. As both the writer and director of Illegal Tender, Mr. Reyes, proves himself to be still in the learning phase as to how to weave the elements of a movie work together to make a truly good and memorable film. Despite some glimpses of promise, Illegal Tender needed more work.
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Illegal Tender (2007)
Cast Members
Wanda De Jesus
• Rick Gonzalez • Dania RamirezAntonio Ortiz
• Jessica Pimentel • Manny PerezGary Perez
• Zulay HenaoDirector
Franc. Reyes
Writer
Franc. Reyes
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