Chop Shop by Ramin Bahrani

In the background, the skyscrapers. Much closer, the peripheral boulevard. Forget what you know about New York, this is the town of Alejandro. In the third feature film by Ramin Bahrani, everything is filmed from the viewpoint of this young adolescent, who is only knee-high to a grasshopper. In the suburbs situated on the outskirts of Queens, Ale is an ace at getting by in life : during the day, he repairs cars in a ‘chop shop’, veritable nerve centre of the neighbourhood. In the evenings, he returns to the converted garage where he lives with his sister. With her, for her, he collects money in a jar and takes it back every day, determined that they will escape from their morose existence. However he soon discovers that reality is sometimes more unconquerable than it seems : his sister becomes a prostitute ; his friend’s uncle plays a dirty trick on him in a business deal. The outside world is noisy, the metallic sounds mixing with hip-hop rhythms. Suddenly, the barriers become impassable, the dream unattainable : whether in front of the football stadium or between the old bangers, Ale seems so small.

The main force of the film is provided by Alejandro Polanco, a young actor who is just as impressive as the street hero he portrays. When the camera stops following him, it is he who runs after its movement. And yet, regrettably, the narrative drags. Time passes slowly, perhaps as slowly as Ale’s days. The tension is latent but no real drama ever appears. After a remarkable opening, Chop Shop leaves the impression of being somewhat unfinished.

Eva John