Just caught up with this film on cable. I never saw it when it was released, and frankly, it was my loss. Franc. Reyes has directed a surprising first feature that has a glossy noirish look. It speaks volumes for a new director to have a style that's easy on the eye as well as for the mind.

John Leguizamo is a huge talent. I have seen him on stage in almost all of his solo presentations and can tell anyone that this man is a dynamo. He never stops surprising; he has a range that few others have and he uses it to his advantage. Mr. Leguizamo's Victor makes a deep impression. We never let our eyes leave Victor for a moment; this man is the product of the streets, but he proves to have a mind of his own and a sophistication that are not easy to match.

The idea of casting Peter Sargaard as Jack was pure genius. This actor is about one of the best working in films at the moment. In the movie he is the suave Jack who has a hidden agenda. Mr. Sargaard perfectly balances the action. His character is the product of the best schools. Victor is impressed because Jack accepts him from the beginning without apparent reservations or prejudice.

The problem with the film is that we know how it's going to end, and we weren't wrong. It was predictable, but the director and the two principals made the film a joy to watch.

The rest of the cast was fine, especially Denise Richards, a beautiful Delilah Cotto, who can give JayLo a lot of competition in the looks department, and Isabella Rosellini, who is perfect as La Colombiana with her big hair and furs.

Victor Rosa (John Leguizamo) is a drug dealer in the South Bronx. He's made a lot of money with his crew Jimmy, Chedda, and Jay. He calls his area and his product Empire. He gets into a feud with a neighboring rival. His girlfriend Carmen goes to college with Trish (Denise Richards) who introduces them to her Wall Street banker boyfriend Jack (Peter Sarsgaard). Jack offers Victor an investment opportunity which requires him to get a loan from his drug source La Colombiana (Isabella Rossellini).

Leguizamo is trying to be hard and he's trying too hard. The narration tries to be hard-boiled. There is a lot of trying but a lot less succeeding. Writer/director Franc. Reyes is trying to mimic better gangster movies. There are ways to make this work but Reyes doesn't have it at this point.

In South Bronx, Victor Rosa (John Leguizamo) is a successful drug-dealer. The area is split among four gangs and he has the best share. Their unique supplier is the powerful La Colombiana (Isabella Rossellini). Victor has a girlfriend, Carmen (Delilah Cotto),who is in the university and is the best friend of Trish (Denise Richards). Denise is the girl-friend of Jack (Peter Sarsgaard),a young and successful banker. When Carmen gets pregnant of Victor, he decides to change his life and invest his money with Jack. Carmen and Victor moves to Soho, where Jack has an empty loft. However, Victor remains trapped to his origins, and has serious problems in his new life style and world. This film recalls David Mamet's `The Spanish Prisoner'. This movie gives a lesson, which is that we shall never forget our friends and our roots. I like gang movies, and this story really hooked my attention until the last scene. Although being an independent small budget movie, the cast is excellent, the direction is good and the screenplay is also great. The Brazilian Sonia Braga has a minor participation as Carmen's mother. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): `Império – Dois Mundos Colidem' (`Empire – Two Worlds Collide')