Jim McKay, a director we have admired from his previous work, is back with a new film about a problem teen ager in Brooklyn. This interesting account about an inner city young man trying to cope with what life has given him, was shown recently on HBO. It is surprising it didn't get a commercial run. After all, Mr. McKay clearly understands the people he presents us in this surprisingly gritty film, and deserves better.

Mr. McKay, whose excellent movie, "Our Song", was a joy to watch, follows with "Angel Rodriguez", a more introspective work, which might be perceived as not in the same category as his previous work, but those who think so, might be the losers by dismissing this new picture. The new movie is more ambitious in many ways.

We are given a situation about a sensitive teen ager who is taken into the home of the kindly Nicole, a social worker that has been helping Angel. In spite of being a computer expert, Angel doesn't take advantage of this change in his life. He has been evicted out of his house by his father. Instead of renouncing to his bad ways, Angel goes back to doing the same thing. His friend Raymond, a boy that is into computer games, and the young transvestite, Jamie, figure prominently in the story.

Nicole, who has her own problems, confesses to Angel she is expecting a baby. Angel feels as though she will be abandoning him, but she reassures him she'll work until almost the end, although she is beginning to feels the effect of her pregnancy. Nicole also is having her own problems with her family. Having the young boy at home poses a challenge for her.

This production was blessed by the presence of Rachel Griffiths, one of the best actresses working today. Her Nicole shows vulnerability and questions herself as she is preparing to bring her own baby to the world. Jonan Everett makes a good impression as Angel, the confused youth at a crossroads in his life.

Jim McKay has to be congratulated for his courage in showing every day people dealing with every day problems in a film that will not disappoint.

WOW!

This was a waste of film i mean i look at the previews an d thought this movie was going 2 great! Boy was i wrong , the only thing good this movie did was pay attention to details, every tiny , obscure detail until u just loss focus. It had a hardly any character development and had plot at all , just a lot of random scenes put together to make an 87 minute film . my Advice if is for anyone suffering from insomnia , THIS MOVIE WILL PUT YOU 2 SLEEP! Also The acting was a little off but with a plot like this easy to fall out of character

ANGEL RODRIGUEZ is yet another story of a kid whose innate talents and intelligence are misguided until he comes Under the influence of a caring adult, able to share her own vulnerabilities allowing the two to grow into stronger people. At least it seems that is what this little short and rather flimsy film is trying to say. The script is so lean and the attempt to develop characters who are understandable in their own light in order for us to care about the plot line of 'redemption' just doesn't support the film. This is a case where the actors are so fine that they are able to fill in the gaping cracks in the script well enough to maintain our attention, our concern, for the duration of the film.

Jonan Everett, making his strong film debut, is that kind of understated actor whose presence rings true and this presence makes us care about a kid whose actions should repulse us at times. His 'Angel' is a bright young talented kid who longs for something more then the hand he has been dealt. His friends, especially the gender bending Jamie (Jon Norman Schneider) is another newcomer to watch. The camera loves him and it seems there is enough latent talent to make him a fine little character actor. Much the same can be said for his other computer geek friend Raymond (Wallace Little). But the strength of the production is secured whenever the talented Rachel Griffiths (Nicole - the social worker) enters the story. Though we are given little from the script to help us organize her motivations, Griffiths' power as an actress overcomes the hurdles.

Writer/director Jim McKay has done better work in the past: Everyday People, Our Song, Girls Town, and some TV show episodes. He gives us the feeling that he understands the underbelly of the big cities and probably with the next film he will have learned from ANGEL RODRIGUEZ a few pointers to help him correct the deficiencies here. Grady Harp