Coming-of-age stories have long been popular in literature and film. Through these stories, we follow the characters as they struggle with issues of peer pressure, identity, first loves, and family relationships while making the journey toward adulthood. Director Aristotle Torres brings his unique perspective to this subgenre by using pieces of his own life. Expanded from his 2018 short film of the same name, Story Ave, co-written by Bonsu Thompson, touches on heavy subjects like grief and loneliness while providing a sense of hope.
Kadir Grayson (Asante Blackk; When They See Us) is a skilled artist growing up in the South Bronx. After his disabled brother’s tragic death, Kadir is lost, looking for family and validation. He runs away from home with the hopes of making it official with a local graffiti gang called Outside the Lines (OTL) with his best friend Maurice aka Moe (Alex R. Hibbert; The Chi). To prove himself loyal to the gang and its leader Skemes (Melvin Gregg; Nine Perfect Strangers), Kadir has to rob someone — at gunpoint.
Determined to secure his position, Kadir follows Luis Torres (Luis Guzmán), an MTA conductor, off a late-night train and attempts to rob him. Luis, seemingly unphased by Kadir’s demand of his wallet, offers him money in exchange for having dinner with him. Confused but desperate, Kadir agrees. Luis takes this opportunity to try and help set Kadir on a new path that doesn’t involve holdups on subway platforms. This not-so-small gesture sets these two on a trajectory that will change both of their lives.
Story Ave is not a new tale, but its presentation and performances help it stand out. Against the backdrop of the Bronx, beautifully brought to the screen by cinematographer Eric Branco (On the Come Up), the story has many layers that add depth and a realness to the characters thanks to a good script. Each character feels fully developed and not like plot devices. These well-written personas give the actors much to work with and they all deliver.
The best moments of the film are understandably between Blackk and Guzmán as the bulk of the story revolves around their relationship. Guzmán brings so much warmth to the screen with Luis. In the beginning, you get the sense right away that Luis is also going through something. As the film progresses, you get a more in-depth look at the grief that he too is carrying. Unfortunately, you never fully get to understand his motivations as his arc falls rather quickly in the third act. Still, it’s a pleasure to see Guzmán on screen in this type of role as he gets to use so many of his acting skills in this one character.
Blackk, however, is the standout performance and he should be. The complexity of emotion he displays throughout the film is excellent. Kadir is plagued by so much — grief, guilt, parental neglect. At the same time, he’s conflicted with wanting more for himself and not believing that there is anything for him outside of where he is. It’s a lot for anyone to process, let alone a high school student, and Blackk masterfully handles these themes with great skill and respect.
With its memorable performances, Story Ave is a worthy addition to the coming-of-age trope. Even though the last act speeds toward a somewhat cliched ending, the feature debut from Torres offers up encouragement and hope with a story that is familiar but not at all stale. Through its characters we can understand how grief can motivate us to be our best or our worst selves and how taking an interest in someone can alter their life for the better.
Rating 3.5 out of 5 star
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