Watch Cross Bronx

Cross Bronx is a gritty independent drama from 2004, directed by Larry Golin and starring an ensemble cast led by Remi Aquino, Erik Argenti, and Vinnie Curto. The film takes place in the Bronx, New York, and explores the lives of four childhood friends who have grown up, gone their separate ways, and are now struggling to make ends meet while facing all the challenges of urban life.

The story follows the intersecting paths of the four protagonists: C.J. (Aquino), a struggling artist who feels stuck in his dead-end job and failing marriage; Gio (Argenti), a drug dealer who has been seeking redemption after being released from prison; Simon (Curto), a corrupt cop who enjoys the perks of the job but is haunted by his conscience; and Jay (Max Greenfield), a naive college student who gets entangled in the web of their troubles.

The film opens with C.J. attending the funeral of his estranged father, who was a respected community leader and a judge. Through a series of flashbacks and conversations with his old friends, we learn that C.J. has always struggled to live up to his father's expectations and has a strained relationship with his family. Meanwhile, Gio is trying to leave his criminal past behind and start a business with his partner V (Brandon Bales). However, their plans are disrupted by a rival gang led by Black (Edoardo Ballerini), who wants to expand his territory and doesn't take kindly to Gio's presence.

Simon, on the other hand, is a crooked cop who has been taking bribes and turning a blind eye to criminal activity in the neighborhood. He is torn between his loyalty to his fellow officers and his guilt over his actions. At the same time, Jay is a young white college student who is trying to fit in with the black and Latino kids from his neighborhood. He becomes involved with Gio's gang and starts selling drugs, but soon realizes that he's in over his head.

As the plot unfolds, the characters' paths cross and their conflicts escalate. C.J. seeks refuge in his art and his friendship with an old flame, Melinda (Dania Ramirez), but finds himself drawn back into the world of his friends. Gio tries to keep his business afloat while dealing with the pressures of the rival gang and his own demons. Simon is caught in a dilemma when he is asked to help his colleagues cover up a crime, and he struggles to make a choice between his loyalty and his conscience. And Jay finds himself in danger when he falls out of favor with Black and becomes a liability to Gio's gang.

The film is a dark and realistic portrayal of life in the inner city, with a strong sense of place and a cast of authentic characters who are flawed but sympathetic. The direction is low-key and naturalistic, and the cinematography captures the rough beauty of the Bronx. The actors deliver solid performances, with Aquino standing out as the sensitive and introspective C.J., while Curto brings a menacing presence to the role of the corrupt cop.

Overall, Cross Bronx is a compelling drama that deals with themes of friendship, loyalty, redemption, and the consequences of one's actions. It may not be a perfect film, but it is a sincere and heartfelt one that deserves recognition for its honesty and its commitment to telling the stories of marginalized communities.

Cross Bronx is a 2004 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0.