Star Maps Movie Review

We all know that parents don't want their kids to grow up to be wannabe movie stars, but here's a switch: Pimp Pepe (Efrain Figueroa) doesn't want his son Carlos (Douglas Spain) to take a small acting role because it will interfere with his real job, turning tricks. Is Star Maps meant to be a heartbreaker, a side splitter, or both? If it's both, there's something hollow about seeing everyone's dreams shattered in the course of this 80-minute family saga that often plays like a comedy. Carlos’ sexual mentor is Pepe's mistress (Annette Murphy); at one point, they act out a sexual fantasy for a May-December couple who clearly need some help in the ignition department. Carlos’ sister can't bring a boy home, because Pepe asks her dates to pay for her sexual favors. And she isn't even in the family business—she's taking care of their sick Mama (Martha Velez). And then there's the brother (Vincent Chandler) who dresses up like a wrestler and is a wanker at the dinner table, even when there's company. This is a first film that feels like a first draft from writer/director Miguel Arteta. It's interesting and clever, but not as well thought out as it might be. Pepe definitely buys his own B.S. and unfortunately, so does everyone in this movie; its hard to care all that much about this brute and his all-too-willing victims.

1997 (R) 80m/C Douglas Spain, Efrain Figueroa, Lysa Flores, Kandeyce Jensen, Martha Velez, Annette Murphy, Vincent Chandler, Al Vincente, Herbert Siguenza, Robin Thomas, Jeff Michalski; D: Miguel Arteta; W: Miguel Arteta; C: Chuy Chavez; M: Lysa Flores. Nominations: Independent Spirit Awards ‘98: Best First Feature, Best Supporting Actor (Figueroa), Debut Performance (Spain, Flores). VHS, LV, Closed Caption