Five Star

Five Star is a compelling cinematic portrait of life, loyalty, and legacy set against the backdrop of the East New York housing projects. The movie was released in 2014 and features an ensemble cast including James 'Primo' Grant, John Diaz, and Wanda Nobles Colon. Directed by Keith Miller, the film blurs the distinction between documentary and drama to deliver an authentic exploration of life in an urban setting.

The film revolves around James 'Primo' Grant and John Diaz. Primo, a real-life gang leader, stars as himself, while fledgling actor Diaz portrays a young John, who is just finding his footing in the hard-edged reality they share. Primo’s character is a five-star general of the Bloods, a designation indicating that he is a high-ranking member of the Bloods street gang. He’s also a mentor figure whose life and work teeter between legality and criminality.

On the other side, there’s John Diaz, a young man grappling with the recent loss of his father and the father figure Primo becomes for him. The relationship forms the core of the film, with John caught between his desire for the respect and power that Primo commands, and the realization of the danger and violence that inevitably accompanies it. Throughout the film, John's struggle presents a profound look at masculinity, power, and what it means to be a man.

The dynamic between Primo and John is beautifully captured, with the former often relating his stories and life experiences to the latter. Their conversations are candid, profound, and layered, exposing the intricate web of respect, loyalty, and fear that defines their mentor-protégé relationship.

Parallel to this intimate narrative is a broader portrait of the community where they live. Wanda Nobles Colon, also playing herself, adds a strong female presence. Her role as John’s mother illuminates the often-ignored impact of gang culture on families and communities. The hardships she faces are an intimate portrayal of the constant stress and uncertainty that plague mothers and loved ones in neighborhoods steeped in gang culture.

Director Keith Miller, known for his distinctive filmmaking style, works to such great effect in Five Star. He constructs his story in a docu-drama format, allowing for an improvisational, almost unscripted quality to the dialogue. The lines between reality and fiction are blurred, enhancing the authenticity of the plot and the characters. Five Star acts as a meld of the two worlds providing a unique texture to the storytelling. The film shows that a narrative can be just as compelling when characters are derived from the actors' actual experiences. This approach helps the movie to resonate on a visceral, emotional level.

Notably, Five Star is not your typical film about gangs, nor is it a typical gangster film. There are no high-speed chases, glamorous party scenes, or spectacular shoot-outs. Instead, it’s a nuanced exploration of what leads people into gangs and the familial bonds created therein. It displays the human side of a community that is so often dismissed or criminalized in mainstream media. The film places a heavy emphasis on the influence of environment and circumstance in shaping these lives, pushing back against the simple narratives of choice versus fate.

In terms of the technical aspect, the cinematography, which vividly captures the gritty urban landscape of East New York, enhances the authenticity and rawness of the film. The soundtrack perfectly complements the tone, adding further depth to the narrative.

Deftly directed and brilliantly acted, Five Star examines the universally relatable themes of identity, family, and the quest for belonging while also giving insight into a world that is rarely spotlighted with such respect and authenticity. The film displays the complexity of life in a place where danger is omnipresent, dreams seem unattainable, yet hope and humanity persist.

Five Star stands as a testament to the power of independent cinema and pulls no punches in its portrayal of life on the streets. It is a dignified, authentic, and humane portrait of a world often overlooked or misunderstood, making it a must-see for those interested in raw, real-life stories.