Nueba Yol
August. 16,1995Balbuena is a genial illegal immigrant who makes his way to New York City to take a bite out of the Big Apple. But his hopes of finding a better life soon begin to fade as Balbuena encounters one obstacle after another in the hardscrabble, uncaring metropolis.
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Reviews
Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!
Powerful
Brilliant and touching
Very interesting film. Was caught on the premise when seeing the trailer but unsure as to what the outcome would be for the showing. As it turns out, it was a very good film.
Because of a lack of funding, Nueba Yol is not a very well made film. Although the main character, Balbuena, is quite likable, the film is lacking in multiple elements. There is a bit of confusion as to how certain events come about and a good amount left unanswered at the end. The concept of the movie, a Dominican wanting to move to New York and find a new life, is good and it is relatable in that many people find their dreams turn out differently than expected, but it is not well carried out. As a Dominican film it isn't bad and many Dominicans love it, but showing it to an American audience will evoke a less than desirable response.
I had just seen this movie. I thought it was good but I didn't find it as funny as some have. The character Balbuena was funny in a child like way, but the story itself was a bit depressing.The ending was somewhat confusing for me, pero I'm glad it was a happy one. I really liked the way the family discussed the differences between raising children in the US and in D.R. Its true, and it hasn't always been this way in the US, it was more like Balbuena and his cousin described it.Over all I liked the movie, but it went a bit too fast in some areas (like the relationship between Balbuena and Nancy)and some characters didn't get a chance to fully develop.
This movie is just so Dominican. I love it!!! this film made me remember my roots and the spicy sense of humor of the Caribbean people. Balbuena, the main character, belongs to Dominican Republlic folklore. He reflects the eternal fight for reach "USland" thinking that in this soil everybody could be "rich", and then, go back wrapping with dollars. Many years before of the birth of this movie, Luisito Martí as Balbuena, was looking for his dreams in several local TV shows in his country. At the end of every sketch something happened and he couldn't reach New York... Nueva Yol. It so important to notice that for Dominican people New York is la like the Mecca!!!
I was disappointed to see the low rating this film got overall, but I noticed that about 1/3 of voting viewers gave it a 10. If you like it, you really like it. And the people who like it most are Dominicans. Is this because it only appeals to people from that particular island country? I have recommended it to friends and students only to hear them complain about plot and characterization being too...stereotyped. Balbuena is a bit of a caricature. This is in the great tradition of Hispanic comedy, including pictures like the Cantiflas films and Mi familia (with its roots in Chicano theater). It has something in common with early Spike Lee (e.g. Do the Right Thing) and also a film like John Sayles' Brother from Another Planet. It does not offer psychological realism of the sort that reinforces bourgeois individualism. But if you would like to have a taste of Dominican culture and you aren't afraid to temporarily give up your Hollywood aesthetic, this film could be for you. And Balbuena is funny as hell.