Film Review: Fresh Performances Drive ‘Gimme the Loot’

CHICAGO – The world of the movies is also a world of discovery. Like new, hot authors, the breakthrough directors emerge with an original first work that generates deserved attention. Writer/director Adam Leon has created that freshness in the his debut feature, “Gimme the Loot.”

Rating: 4.0/5.0

This is an inspired urban comedy, with casting choices that are letter perfect. To think that New York City graffiti artists are looking to score the ultimate tag is a precious MacGuffin (the Alfred Hitchcock term for something in a film that seems important but doesn’t end up that way), and the foul mouthed pursuers of this truth measure the levels of their wackiness through a bizarre cityscape barometer. Writer/director Leon generated the fun through the grit of the mean streets and the dogged determination of the raw, winning performances from his cast.

Malcolm (Ty Hickson) and Sofia (Tashiana Washington) are hard-luck graffiti artists from the Bronx. The streets don’t give them a break and their latest masterpiece is marred by a rival gang. To get even, and get even more attention, they hatch a plan to tag a revered but silly New York City landmark. The problem is they need $500 to do it right.

Thus begins their journey as procurers of the loot, which takes them all over the metropolis over the course of two summer days. Will they score with stolen sneakers, black market spray cans, a high stakes heist or through a beautiful society girl named Ginnie (Zoë Lescaze), who literally may hold the key to the whole scheme?

“Gimme the Loot” continues its limited release in Chicago on March 29th. See local listings for theaters and show times. Featuring Ty Hickson, Zoë Lecaze, Taishana Washington and Joshua Rivera. Written and directed by Adam Leon. Not Rated