Popi [DVD]

Before there was Elian Gonzalez, there was "Popi". In a amazing and convincing performance, Alan Arkin plays Abraham Rodriguez, a Puerto Rican father of two small boys living in New York's Spanish Harlem. Working three jobs with only five hours of sleep a night, Abraham only wants the best for his kids as he struggles to provide them a roof over their heads and food on the table, especially after the death of his wife.However, the mean streets of the city and the poverty-stricken neighborhood he resides only causes him to worry about his children's welfare. After his children suffer a series of violent attacks, Abraham gets fed up with life in "El Barrio" and devises his plan in trying to give his children a better life he can't provide them.By doing research and educating the boys, Abraham sets his sons adrift in a rowboat off the coast of Miami, hoping that the Coast Guard picks them up as Cuban refugees. After they are rescued, his ultimate goal is that a wealthy family adopts them to give them an upbringing that would give the greater opportunities than they would have if they lived in the ghetto.However, the human heart is a powerful weapon, and after the boys long for their "Popi," Abraham starts to miss them and tries to see them by all means necessary, leading to a hilarious chase, and finally an emotional ending to a scheme-gone wrong.Arkin's performance as Abraham is convincing and amazing in every sense. His mastering of an English accent with hints of Spanish is incredible, seeing that Arkin is not Puerto Rican. Rita Moreno is excellent as Lupe, although her appearance in the film is rather limited. Newcomers Miguel Alejandro (Junior) and Ruben Figueroa (Luis) are excellent as Abraham's two sons. Alejandro's role reminded me a lot of Thomas Melly's role of Lil' Chino in another Puerto Rican movie filmed in New York City, "I Like It Like That". This film will pull many emotional strings, especially when Abraham parts with his children on a dark Floridian beach.There are many memorable lines and scenes throughout the scene, however my favorite one has to be Abraham's accidential appearance at a Cuban democracy rally at a New York hotel. At the rally, Abraham who is waitering, is brought to the stage by a few Cubans, who think he is one of the six men who participated in the Bay of Pigs invasion fiasco. After a roll call of the names of the veterans and their chanting "Que Vive Cuba Libre" (Long Live a Free Cuba!) Abraham is faced with a crowd anxious to hear him talk. His line which is probably the funniest pro-Puerto Rican chant to ever heard in a film is a must see for anyone who is Puerto Rican or an admirer of the island and its' people.The film which was rated "G" back in 1969 is far too intense for a child. With today's standards this film would have received a PG-13 rating due to violence, nudity, and powerful scenes of child discipline. If this film was released before the Elian Gonzalez conflict started, then many, especially many ignorant politicians in the United States might have understood the feelings a child has for their parents. Ignorance is bliss, and as we saw in this film and real life, not all the toys in the world can buy a child's love over that of their love for their parent(s)."Popi" is definately a contemporary classic in American cinema. The film gives an accurate portrait of life among Latinos living in New York's toughest neighborhoods. Director Arthur Hiller ("Love Story") did an excellent job of depicting life in the ghetto with sensitivity and grace. The film's beautiful score and charming theme song by Dominic Frontiere are captivating and memorable. I recommend this film to everyone, and especially to anyone wanting to understand the effects of the Puerto Rican diaspora in the United States.

I remember watching this movie when I was a kid and since some of the old school movies are never shown on tv anymore when every I google it and I could find it, I just want to see it again, Popi is one of those movies, the last time I seen this movie was over 40 years ago....OLD SCHOOL, those was the days.

"Popi" is the story of a widow (Alan Arkin) living in Puerto Rico with his two young sons.Arkin wants a better life for his boys than what would be available inhis home country where poverty and street violence is a way of life andthere is no certain future for his boys.He hits upon the idea of obtaining a boat and setting the two of themadrift in the sea which is a shipping lane between Puerto Rico and theUnited States. He does this in the hope that they will eventually bepicked up and mistakenly thought to be refugees from Cuba. They wouldthen be adopted by a good family in the United States where they wouldbe looked after and properly educated.It's a perfect example of how the best laid plans can go wrong and inthis case they do and with amusing results.The movie has a happy ending. The boys are re-united with their dad.Dad eventually comes to realize that the boys don't want to be adoptedand would rather live with their dad whom they love.They all eventually return to Puerto Rico to face what life has tothrow at them.The movie which is a mixture of drama and comedy is presented with agood deal of charm. I first approached this movie with certainreservations not knowing what to expect but I soon fell under itsspell.Very entertaining.

The review here by Luis Hernandez sums it up beautifully.

Defective DVD. Would not play in DVD player. Freezes up.DVD player says to eject. Did not work in two differentplayers. I have seen the movie on another occasion. Itwas a well done cute movie but made in a 1960's - 1970'sstyle.

Alan Arkin is my favorite actor. I do not know of any other one, in my lifetime, who has such versatility. He is at home in any role: in comedy roles, like this movie and "The In-laws"; as a murderer in "Wait Until Dark;" in dramas, like "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter", in which he played the part of a deaf-mute and was nominated for Best Actor without saying a single word throughout the movie; as a supporting actor, as he did recently in the movie, "Argo."In "Popi" he plays the part of a single parent trying to raise two grade-school sons in a very rough neighborhood in New York City. His performance will bring both compassionate tears and spontaneous laughter. Enjoy!

This was a good movie.

One of my favorite movies. I love Alan Arkin in anything he's in and this particular movie he is really great! The boys & Rita Moreno are also very good and I think this is one of the sweetest stories about a Father and his love for his children.

It is a wonderful movie. I enjoyed it.

A cute movie of a father trying to help his boys in a very unconventional way.