MILLIE AND THE LORDS

MILLIE AND THE LORDS

Jennica Carmona produces, directs and stars in this soft drama about the Puerto Rican socio-political organization, The Young Lords who were the Latino equivalent of the Black Panther Party.

She puts herself in the first person as Millie, a young New York Puerto Rican girl with a bad attitude due to her living conditions at home with her domineering father (Alfredo Huereca) and pathetic job. After she gets mugged and beaten, she meets an old man named Mateo (Mateo Gomez) who was a former Young Lord.

Mateo has just signed on to teach a class at the local community center that centers on the history of the forgotten Latino Party, their goals, and the various things the accomplished. Of course, her father is against the idea and wants her home instead.

The family relationship is offset by a budding romance with Roberto (Alex Hernandez) who is having problems with a local gang. Nevertheless Millie, the class and her new friends become active trying to raise money and awareness about the community center... and ultimately it's history with the Young Lords.

The melodrama, however drowns out the little bit of history that is related. It barely skims the origins of the Young Lords and only barely glances at their permanent accomplishments. Moreover, the characters and performances are very amateurish with predictable outcomes.

This is Carmona's first directing and producing effort and it really shows that she needs to learn... a lot.

"Millie and the Lords" is a good concept that was poorly written and executed. It is interesting when it discusses the Young Lords and sloppy when it jumps to the dramatic scenes with Millie and her classmates and family. -- GEOFF BURTON

GEOFF BURTON

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