I've seen this movie twice. And it didn't get any better second time. It's a mix of separate story elements, which, if used correctly, could make a plot alone. Here, neither of them works. Not the street wars, grand hoax or "getting out from crime life" element.The movies with big con-man have interesting twists and element of surprise. None here. The ultimate thief turns out to be just a greedy nerd. Usually, the street wars movies or action thrillers overall, are THRILLING. The pace should be up! Here, the slow motion effect is used to make it look more stupid, as girly headache generator music plays and there's enough of blood to make everything look like horror movie parody. It's simply girly. Stupid, unrealistic and not intense at all. I prefer real ballet with real dancers instead of fat gangsters with guns. And getting out of crime life theme, even if it fits here, is played out so lousily and unbelievably as anything could.So basically, the movie stinks. Unless you like the awful soundtrack and women with proportions of a duck.

If one knows the excellent performance history, (film, Broadway, and television), of John Leguizamo, then his producing credit will prepare one for a very tight, well-scripted and directed, small film. Several of the actors are known for other roles, but the real standout is newcomer, Delilah Cotto. Sonia Braga, a fine South American actress, is given little to do, and Denise Richards needs to develop more intensity. (Her final scene is, unintentionally, hilarious.) The settings and scenery are realistic and nicely photographed, adding gravitas to Leguizamo's picaresque search for transformation. This is a good, solid story that should have had more publicity and distribution.

A little gem of a gangster film. Not totally original, it could be seen as a homage to many of its predecessors, yet it delivers and keeps you interested right until the very end.John Leguizamo plays local drug dealer Victor Rosa who sees the opportunity yo "branch out" into other areas and let his drug money work for him in the stock market when he meets, through his girlfriend, a up and coming wall street executive. Problem is that he finds it harder and harder to move away from his dangerous life on the streets, and still ends up having to deal with his crew of trigger happy homeboys, rival drug dealers and drug kingpins - which turns out to be a hell of a lot harder than before.Leguizamo is brilliant in the lead role and has good support from the likes of Peter Sarsgaard, as his new wall street chum, and Vincent Laresca as his best friend from childhood. Its also good to see old stagers Isabella Rossellini and Sonia Braga again.Denise Richards (not really having to act here, which suits her fine) and unknown Delilah Cotto are good eye candy, and do well as the sexy female leads.An A for effort to all involved.

This movie was OK, but you can tell is definitely low budget. The whole plot is nothing new. Drug dealer gangster wants to move up in the world and leave his criminal past behind, but it always catches up with him. You can't route for the guy, Vic, because he is nothing but a cold blooded killer. So, what do we care if the drug suppliers he owes money to catches him. Also, as is the fashion, he has some sort of drama with his girl. It was nothing more than a stereo-typical side plot. I agree with the other reviews that this movie would have been a lot better if they just stuck with the story of the rival heroin dealers and what happens when one moves in on another's territory.FINAL VERDICT: It's average. Not really worth watching since it's been done many times.