VICTOR
US, 2015, 105 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Davis, Lisa Duval, José Zuniga, Mason Davis, Matt Angel, Josh Spence, Haley Ramm.
Directed by Brendan Dickerson.
Victor is based on a true story, the autobiography of its central character, Victor Torres, Son of Evil Street.
The setting is 1961, the year of the release of West Side Story, which many of the early sequences resemble, the Puerto Rican migrants in search of a better life, the gangs, the fights with the local gangs, deaths. There is also the atmosphere of the introduction of drugs, dealers using youngsters for sales and the youngsters themselves trying out the drugs and becoming addicts.
In The Cross and the Switchblade, 1971, the setting is very similar and tells the story of a young pastor, David Wilkerson, who went to Brooklyn with his ministry and mediated between the gangs. He had a shopfront church, gathered a lot of the young people, and, in this film, intervened with halfway houses to help them with their addictions.
The central character, Victor, is played by Patrick Davis, Lisa Duval is the put upon mother and Jose Zuniga as his strict father.
The bulk of the film shows life in Brooklyn, Victor and the peer pressure and his belonging to gangs, his pride in the gang jacket, the introduction to drugs, his dealing, his addictions, clashes with his family, an attempt to go cold turkey, the intervention of the David Wilkerson character, Jimmy here, and his eventual rehabilitation – and the invitation for him to become a pastor and do similar work which he did over succeeding decades. As with so many films based on true stories, pictures of the actual characters appear during the final credits.
While it is a faith-based film, it is more reticent than many in its explicit references to Scriptures, faith, issues of redemption – perhaps drawing in younger audiences who could be encouraged by the story and rehabilitation.
1. The true story? Victor Torres autobiography, “Son of Evil Street�? The relationship to The Cross and the Switchblade? The Ministry of David Wilkerson? The photos of the characters during the final credits?
2. New York City, the early 1960s, Brooklyn, the streets, apartments, the store/bar church, halfway houses? The musical score?
3. The reference to West Side Story, Puerto Rican migrants, New York City, the gangs and their fights?
4. Migrants to the US, the 1950s and 1960s, the dreams and hopes, the reality, poor apartments, getting jobs and not? The gangs, guns, the introduction of drugs, dealing, young people, trying the drugs, becoming addicts?
5. Jimmy, his appearance in New York City, the bar and its turning into a church, his life, experience, faith, quoting the Scriptures? His friendship with Victor and his brother, meeting Victor’s mother? Watching the situations, the gatherings and the church, his mediating in the confrontations in the streets? Setting up halfway houses, staff, volunteers, the real-life experience?
6. Victor, his age, personality, peer pressure, wanting to be recognised, joining in the fights and bashings, saving Sherry, the later friendship? His mother waiting up, her concern? Concern for the little brother? The father, severe, losing his job, trying to get more jobs and support the family? Victor and the scenes with his friends, the going out, bravado, his being given the jacket? Working in the garage, being sacked? Meeting the drug dealer, the agreement, trying out, the effect on him? Initial money, buying the benefits and gifts for the family?
7. The gang rivalries, the ethnic backgrounds, tough, Danny as the leader, his relationship with Sherry? His jealousy? Sherry, attracted to Victor, going out, the movies? Showdown in the street, the guns? The gang member being shot? The grief? Victor blamed?
8. Victor, his collapse, the drugs, becoming addicts? In and out of his home? His being shunned by his peers? Jimmy, reaching out, the help? Going to the doctor, the methadone program, going cold turkey, the effect, the others wanting the drugs, giving him the map for distribution? His taking it to his friends, to the drug dealer?
9. The parents, faith, prayer, the little brother and his prayers? Going to the church, Jimmy, support?
10. Danny, addict, going to the halfway house, Victor’s arrival, the former antagonism, forgiveness and reaching out? The processes for treatment in the halfway house?
Victor, gradually improving, going out, the confrontation of the dealer, taking Sherry to the halfway house, her being an addict, his not leaving her?
11. His improvement? The mission to go to Boston? The family eventually at the beach, the joy? His later career?
12. A faith-based film, focusing on the reality of gangs and addiction, poverty, rather than an emphasis on the church experiences? Offering hopes for addicts who might see the film?
