Christy Martinez

Wow Lin, what in the world was this? If cultural appropriation and gentrification were a movie, this would be it. I understand what they TRIED to do but it was an absolute MISS every single time. I’m honestly still recovering from the disappointment of it all. I’m not disappointed that this film exists; I think in its thwarted efforts it’ll serve as an eternal reminder of why it’s pivotal to have the actual people whose stories are being depicted IN THE WRITER’S ROOM. I’m disappointed in my sheer and utter disconnection from the depiction of a neighborhood that’s a part of me as a first-generation Dominican American. I’m disappointed in how they depicted Dascha Polanco so poorly as the ONLY ACTUAL Heights-native Dominican casted in a semi-leading role. I’m disappointed that so many people are raving about it. I’m disappointed that I’m disappointed. Ultimately, it’s two stars for me because it exists and in existing it does start a conversation, which matters... but it falls SO short of authentic that it’s not even worth trying to like it. It was cheap, culturally irrelevant and frankly insulting to the true spirit of The Heights... I didn’t expect anything different, though. Hollywood isn’t interested in authentic. Authentic doesn’t sell to vast majorities. Reason 12,286,254 why we need to write and share our own stories!