I appreciate what director Arlene Torres was going for with “El Halcón,” but her short drama is something I just couldn’t click in to. While there’s a lot of interesting potential in stories revolving around Latinos in lower class Los Angeles, “El Halcón” is tough to watch mainly because it’s so centered on trite story beats and over schmaltzy melodrama. I could never really empathize with or connect with any of the characters, as everything in “El Halcón” felt so disingenuous and forced. Everyone feels over rehearsed or struggling to build this friction that could enhance the narrative’s whole sense of tragedy.
Set in the streets of Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, Fernando De La Cruz is an ex-gang member and aspiring tattoo artist, who is trying to turn his life around and help his immigrant mother return to the United States. When he meets a young boy named JP and his abusive, racist father, Fern is faced with a difficult decision. Will he risk everything to help the young boy and stand up to the abusive father, or will he choose to stay out of trouble and focus on his own goals?
Elements from the dialogue to the acting felt stilted while the performers never lose themselves in their characters. While Hector Gomez Jr. is fine in his lead role as Fernando, “El Halcón” gets lost in so much saccharine and silly TV movie of the week cliches that it was often difficult to swallow. There isn’t a ton of substance to take away from the entire narrative except a pretty dusty, and musty tale about a grizzled old man with a big heart who opens his heart to a young child. There isn’t a whole lot of emphases on Fernando or on JP’s back story save for the usual plot beats to derive melodrama.
I just didn’t care enough for the characters to really engage with the tension, and the final scene felt so contrived. I commend Arlene Torres for finishing a film, but “El Halcón” never brought anything interesting or unique to the table for audiences.
Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival occurs in San Jose March 7th – March 17th.