Ay dios mio, this movie! Mi Vida Loca straddles the line between poignant docu-drama and Lifetime movie of the week and I am not ashamed to say that it does so perfectly.It takes place in Los Angeles’ Echo Park, and area then fueled by gang violence and ethnic pride. Sad Girl and Mousie are two girls growing up in the eye of the storm and are introduced to gang life as a way to fit in. They’re best friends that share everything: secrets, clothing, the ever present gang girl lipstick, that time of the month, hair gel, and even end up having a child with the same vato, a drug dealer named Ernesto. That last one wasn’t part of the plan and a childhood friendship quickly turns into a bitter rivalry. Man, why do boys have to go and fuck everything up sometimes? Can I get a witness?!
The saddest part about this film and others like it is that these people don’t know any better. The real Sad Girls and Mousies of the world have only seen what’s in their backyard and It’s hard to blame them completely for their predicaments when for many Ignorance is bliss. When Giggles an older gang member is released from a four years stint in prison (for a crime committed by her gangster boyfriend) she tells the girls about her new plans “Computers are the future” she says proudly. The girls around her each respond with an eye roll, a heavy sigh and/or a nonchalant “That’s fucked up”. God, If they only knew. I love this movie for it’s terrible acting, glorious nineties fashions and for giving these girls a voice. Also Keep an eye out for small cameos by Salma Hayek, Spike Jonze, Jason Lee, Danny Trejo and Los Lobos.
For Carolina.
