Illegal Tender (DVD, 2007)

ILLEGAL TENDER opens in the Bronx in 1985, with slick drug dealer Wilson DeLeon (Manny Perez) looking for one more big score before settling down with his pregnant wife, Millie (Jessica Pimentel). But things go awry, and the gang led by Javier Cordero (Gary Perez) goes after Millie as well. Twenty-two years later, Millie (now played by Wanda De Jesus) is living in a wealthy suburban neighborhood with her older son, 4.0 college student Wilson Jr. (Rick Gonzalez), and younger son, the endearingly precocious Randy (Antonio Ortiz). When she spots a member of Javier's gang, she's out on the run again--but Wilson refuses to go, instead staying home with his girlfriend, Ana (Dania Ramirez), not willing to believe anyone is in any real danger. Although he doesn't want to get involved, Wilson is soon caught up in a gunfight, finding himself in the middle of a two-decade-old score that seemingly can be settled only with bloodshed. Written and directed by Franc. Reyes (EMPIRE) and produced by John Singleton (BOYZ N THE HOOD), ILLEGAL TENDER is a gripping drama about family, revenge, and honor. The outstanding cast is headed by De Jesus in a career-defining performance, with fine support from Gonzalez and Ramirez and comic relief from Ortiz. The soundtrack features songs by Willie Colon, Don Omar, Manny Loco, Tafari, and reggaeton star Tego Calderon, who also appears in the film as Choco, Javier's right-hand man in Puerto Rico.