Filly Brown - B-

Rated R, 101 minutes

"Filly Brown" is a familiar but gritty, well-acted tale

Gina Rodriguez

Regardless of the situation, it's always fulfilling to root for the underdog, and the routine but moving new drama "Filly Brown" has as much sass and heart as its title character. Majo Tonorio (TV actress Gina Rodriguez), a.k.a. "Filly Brown," is a raw, young Los Angeles hip-hop artist who spits rhymes from the heart. With an incarcerated mother (the late Jenni Rivera), and a father (Lou Diamond Phillips) struggling to provide for his daughters, a record contract could be the ticket out for her family. Co-directed by Michael D. Olmos and Youssef Delara and written by Delara, the film is essentially the Latino version of "8 Mile," with Latino TV actress (not the porn star) Rodriguez of "The Bold and The Beautiful" and "Army Wives" giving a heartfelt, breakout performance as the title character, a pretty Mexican girl whose rhymes are the result of the setbacks she's had. It's nice seeing Phillips and Edward James Olmos, whose son co-directed the film, together again in a mini 25 year "Stand and Deliver" reunion, though many may flock to the film to see the late singer Rivera in one of her last roles as Filly's drug addicted, incarcerated mother. It's a small but pivotal role and Rivera plays against type from her wholesome pop singer personality. However, it's Rodriguez, a non-musician who learned how to rap and sing for the role, who is the most memorable. On that note, the film is best when it focuses on the music, though there are a few rough scenes that poignantly detail the Latino experience. Independently produced, "Filly Brown," though overly familiar and too predictable in its final act, is a moving, entertaining underdog film with a nice breakout performance from its lead. Worth a look.

Wes's Grade: B-