Echo Park (2014) Reviews

• A touching story that reveals the soul of Echo Park in Los Angeles.

  odog5000x2014-06-16

  A brilliant first film by director Amanda Marsalis, 'Echo Park' succeeds in bringing interesting and unique characters to life. Actors Tony Okungbowa and Mamie Gummer deliver the performances of their careers in an intimate portrayal of characters from different worlds brought together in Echo Park. By making the distinctive area of Los Angeles, Echo Park, into a character of its own, it joins the ranks of other great films like Chinatown, Midnight in Paris, and LA Story. This is an independent film that dares to tell a story about Los Angeles that does not rely on Hollywood stereotypes and plot devices and story clichés that permeate most movies produced in Hollywood. (Most of those films are not even shot in Los Angeles, but move their productions overseas, or up north to Canada to save money). The look of the film is not just emulating Echo Park, it IS Echo Park. For this reason I recommend this film to everyone. It is superb.

• A Very Good Movie

  usclewis2016-04-21

  First off, it's always nice to see a film about L.A. that looks like it is set in L.A. -- especially when it doesn't feature celebrities that take you out of the illusion. It's also nice to see a well-written, mature film about adults that doesn't resort to clichés or sensationalism (excessive sex, violence, cursing, etc) to tell it's story. This is a story about friendships and choices, and discovering what is real in life. As someone who has visited Echo Park many times in the past, this movie feels like a true L.A. story: these are the kinds of movies I'd like to see made more often, whether about Los Angeles specifically, or about relationships in general.

• The tender ways that love complicates a relationship

  xWRL2016-05-29

  This very special movie is built around the tensions that develop among lovers and close friends, as a result of different needs and, specifically, different takes on what love is. All the main characters are sympathetic, and the choices they make--even when you figure they might be making a mistake--are understandable and defensible. No one does anything really stupid, but what they do is enough to create the tensions that drive the plot. The actors bring keen sensitivity to this very human, tender film. The director must be in love with Los Angeles, because the shots around town are among the most gorgeous you're likely to have seen.

• What a piece of crap!

  catherine-cuomo2016-05-01

  Is there a plot? Or just people buying coffee, houses, plane tickets, cameras, whatever. This film drifts along, as though the entire cast, and maybe the writer, were on Qualudes. And does anyone work? At all? Even a little? Pointless, ridiculous, childishly simplistic. Sophie moves to LA to escape her boyfriend, who likes her too much. She has a casual affair with guy she buys sofa from. Boyfriend moves to LA to pursue her. Meanwhile, she buys entire house from sofa guy, with no more concern than one buys a pack of gum because 'she wants something of her own'. Sofa guy moves back to England, she dumps boyfriend, fade out with elevator music as Sophie looks knowing and satisfied. The End.

• Real life in a good place and a good way...

  facebook-565142017-01-22

  I just watched Echo Park on Netflix, it touch me in so many ways. This movie was incredibly faithful to the pulse of our community. I lived in Echo Park for many years, and also in the nearby Silverlake area; there is no doubt that writer Amanda Marsalis and director Catalina Aguilar Mastretta understood exactly how special it was, and is, to belong to such culturally rich communities. The cast was equally incredible, especially Mamie Gummer, who I dare say is another the Meryl Streep in the making! I have a root connection to Echo Park, growing up on Echo Park Avenue. My grandparents lived at 1513-1/2, literally just a couple of doors down from Elias' gallery showing. Connection or not, I'm a fan of this movie, pure and simple. Hats off to the entire Echo Park team.