Filly Brown
Filly Brown is a young Latina Hip Hop artist spitting rhymes on the underground radio scene in LA with a group of friends that support her art. Filly’s mom is in jail, but gives Filly lyrics to spit, which garners her notice by a promoter and ultimately, a record contract with producer “Big C.” Filly signs the deal in order to get the money to hire a lawyer for her mother’s defense. As she gains success, she quickly loses her street vibe, artistic integrity, and the respect of many of her friends. Ultimately, we discover that her mother gave her lyrics stolen from someone else, which leads to Big C being sued. Filly’s mom also lied about the reasons she is in jail, a discovery that causes Filly’s world to come crashing down around her. The revelation serves to reunite her family, however, including younger sister Lupe, who has gotten caught up in her own web of trouble with one of Big C’s employees, and her father, a construction worker with his own set of secrets that shine light on why Filly’s mom is in jail to begin with. Ultimately, the family comes together and confesses their sins to each other, with Filly free-styling a poem of forgiveness to her mom. We are left with a ray of hope that unity will one day be restored.
While burdened by an overly complicated storyline, and themes that have been seen many times before, Filly Brown packed quite an emotional punch for me. I especially appreciated the love that Filly showed for her mom, even though her mom was a strung out, lying drug addict. The father’s resignation, fueled by his determination to live in truth was also a strong reminder of the power of integrity. When all is revealed, the family makes the difficult choice to stick together and support each other. The resulting reunion and display of Filly’s forgiveness for her mom is a powerful, moving example of grace and renewal, and a welcome reminder of the power of love.
Aikeq /
That is great to hear! This elcelxent film has deserved a DVD release for a long time. Hopefully it will be a pristine, vivid print as the use of color is an integral part of the story.
February 16, 2012 8:47:23 AM PDT
Linda /
With Predator the grain isesus are pretty apparent, especially in the night shots. Are you kidding? This disc has been scrubbed harder than a prisoner entering Shawshank. What you are undoubtedly seeing is noise as this release has removed all grain and the detail with it. There is also a noticeable increase in brightness resulting in a color shift in some of the night scenes. considering the improvement over the first blu-ray release of the film. This site hasn't reviewed the previous disc, and you don't mention the disc anywhere in your review prior to your conclusion. Surely if this disc is so much better you would be able to articulate that in the sections prior to your conclusion in order to clarify to your readers how these two discs differ.I hope your readers take the time to research the differences between these discs, so that they can make an informed decision on how to spend their money.
February 17, 2012 1:01:47 AM PDT
Carol /
The crank'd out movie mode epyolms a second encode of the entire movie with the PiP commentary on it. You cannot switch it on or off in the middle of the movie like you can with IME.
February 17, 2012 5:54:48 AM PDT
Hele /
Hey Gregg aogulhth I am not a fan at all of westerns, kudos on a review well written. I love how you started it off!
February 17, 2012 8:22:36 AM PDT
Maiklmona /
More mndsleis not to mention LONG doodoo from Bruckheimer. Would be completely unwatchable if not for Knightley's ever-bouncing bodice.
February 17, 2012 9:48:35 AM PDT
Murali /
I am lnokiog forward to seeing this one. I didn't read any previous critics' reviews of the film and unfortunately it left theaters before I even knew it arrived. Thanks for the insightful review, Joe.
February 18, 2012 9:02:50 PM PDT
Valfrido /
I cdluon't agree with you more in the film category, Joe. This movie had its moments unfortunately several of them were bad.
February 18, 2012 10:12:50 PM PDT
Jorge /
sevekaasythpmoeie on February 23, 2011 if anybody has the names of the people in this clip, let us know we're documentary filmmakers doing a film on the fear of public speaking and can't find out who these people are!!
February 18, 2012 10:44:42 PM PDT
The film had running themes of feminism, justice for the Latino community and the search for identity. I found myself lost in the story line, rooting for Filly as she faces ups and downs. The music was incredibly powerful and gave the film an unmistakable energy. This is a theater worthy film. Where many independent films speak only to their genre; this film bridges the gap of independent film and mainstream film. I’ll be marketing this film when it is released.