Judgmental Prick!, written and starring Rolando Zee and directed by Shayne Lightner, is about a romantic entanglement that can only happen in the movies. Jesse (Zee) meets Osvaldo (Hugo Mejia Loera) by happenstance when Jesse is mistaken for an immigrant looking for work. The two share instant chemistry, and Jesse never corrected Osvaldo’s perception of him. Jesse’s best friend, Florio (Patrick McDermott), finds out about the lie at a big dinner with all of Osvaldo’s family and cannot believe it.
The short romance is not told linearly, as the film begins with Jesse getting ready for a date with Osvaldo. Then the dinner happens, then the lie is exposed, and then the way the two met comes to light. The great thing about this presentation is that Zee knows what the hook is. By jumping in just before the hook is revealed, it means the almost 25-minute runtime is not wasted. The characters, their relationships, and the big dinner are introduced. Then, drama and romance take hold. Each layer pulled back keeps things engaging and fresh. The same can be said of the unexpected but heartfelt resolution.
Jesse (Rolando Zee) and Osvaldo (Hugo Mejia Loera) form a connection over a shared gift in Shayne Lightner’s Judgmental Prick!
“Jesse’s best friend, Florio, finds out about the lie at a big dinner with all of Osvaldo’s family…”
Zee plays the man out of his depth perfectly. His exasperation over never knowing the right time to come clean is relatable, even if the scenario is far-fetched. The actor projects Jesse’s love of Osvaldo with tenderness. Loera is sweet, and it is easy to see why anyone would fall for him. McDermott nails the complicated emotions of Florio and effectively serves as the surrogate for the audience. He ably voices much of what viewers think about the situation. Maria Montenegro plays Mama Gloria, and her open-hearted and loving nature prompts all those watching to rethink their stance on everything that has just transpired.
Judgmental Prick! is romantic, dramatic, and even a little comedic in all the right ways. The directing and nonlinear narrative are top-notch, as is the perfect soundtrack (seriously, the song choices here are great). The cast is terrific from start to finish, and the conclusion will tug at your heartstrings.
"…romantic, dramatic, and even a little comedic..."
