Mott Haven

Former radio mogul Hal (a fine and likeable performance by Robert Davi, who gets to show a more tender side) and stressed-out business owner Michael Roman (a sturdy portrayal by Paul Wilson) join forces to stand up to thuggish superintendent Ray Pizzalongo (well played to the jerky hilt by Chuck Zito), who's trying to force Hal and several other tenants in his building to move out in the name of gentrification. Director Michael Domino puts a welcome and refreshing key emphasis on the colorful and engaging characters, with the friendship between Hal and Michael proving to be especially warm and touching. Moreover, this movie shows a real heart and passion for life: Although the basic central message about just appreciating life itself might be a tad corny, it nonetheless still manages to be extremely appealing and uplifting in equal measure. A lovely film.

The existential crises of man, besides having global dimensions, also will inevitably emerge on a local, more personal level. As in Katherine Anne Porter's Ship of Fools, disparate and unique personalities may find themselves thrown together in an unlikely kinship, with a common thread of angst. Mott Haven: Cash for Keys illuminates two distinct avenues of mankind's struggle, both contemporary and classical; the ancient class conflict as the common man rails against his abuse by the privileged corporate oligarchs, and, in this case, the inexorable demolition of the environment resulting from the callous use and overuse of plastics. The protagonist, Hal, played by Robert Davi, emerges as the battlefield commander of a group of tenants who are being pressured to vacate their apartments in a building slated to be demolished in the gentrification of their corner of the South Bronx in New York City. Unfortunately, Hal is not the Don Quixote-like defender of the rights of the common man, but has an agenda forged from his own troubled but successful life. As a former broadcasting mogul who owned multiple radio outlets on the east coast before personal challenges, Hal, was known fondly as "Radio Man" with a nod to his former history. Ultimately, with the skilled negotiation assistance of Mike, the owner of a nearby plastics recycling company, a generous settlement with the building's owners is reached. Hal makes questionable use of part of the proceeds in what could justifiable be called embezzlement. Through these complex and emotional interactions with the "tribe" of apartment dwellers led by Radio Man, Mike achieves a sort of redemption of his own soul as he shifts his pecuniary focus to understanding the real impact of the befouling plastics he built his business upon. Hal achieves his own epiphany as he finally supports each tenant in pursuing their personal dreams. The production is stirring and emotional, motivating and captivating, and finally leads to the "release from bondage" of the travelers in this human voyage. Vic Amoroso, PhD.

Mott Haven explores important issues; it not only shines a light on the deleterious effects of frenzied workaholism and greed but also the crucial importance of relationships, collectivism, and human dignity. It's wonderful to see these issues boldly addressed by the film which features not only seasoned Hollywood actors and talented budding stars, but also the people of the Bronx. I love the inclusiveness, the cinematography, music, and style of the film as well.