Film Review

Andrew Glazer

Independent filmmakers are faced with two fundamental options. They can

experiment with plot, storytelling and characters in a way that

big-budget studios wouldn’t allow. Or they can try to replicate a

big-budget feature with only one-tenth of the budget.

For the most part, Ron Cosentino -- writer and director of “Fallen

Arches” -- chose the latter.

The film is about a group of Los Angeles teenagers who steal a shipment

of designer shoes from an old-time mobster, Nicky Kaplan. Needless to

say, the gangster, who relishes the days when there was respect in “the

family,” isn’t happy.

Meanwhile, while Kaplan’s two idiot henchmen are hot on their trail, one

of the boys, Frankie Romano -- who has hopes of enrolling in culinary

school -- falls in love.

This film is the latest rip-off on Quentin Tarantino, complete with pop

culture references -- “You’re very hip, boss. Like MTV.” -- bumbling

youth in over their heads and a flash-forward beginning.

All in all, the film is nice looking, with interesting lighting -- almost

the entire film was shot at night -- and a good-looking cast. And the

performances were good, if not a little heavy on the tough-guy accents.

* “Fallen Arches” screens at 10 p.m. today at Edwards Island 7 Cinemas.