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Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo)

Play trailer Mad Bills to Pay (or Destiny, dile que no soy malo) 2025 1h 41m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Rico's summer is a wild mix of chasing girls and hustling homemade cocktails out of a cooler on Orchard Beach, the Bronx. But when Destiny, his teenage girlfriend, crashes at his place with his family, it's only a matter of time before his rowdy, carefree days come spiraling down. Using his hometown as a canvas, writer-director Joel Alfonso Vargas immerses us in the beating heart of his lively Dominican American community, collaborating with street-cast actors to bring authenticity and fresh humor to his engrossing debut feature. A blend of improvisation and whip-smart dialogue shape this slice-of-life portrait into an unapologetic look at the bittersweetness of growing up quickly when life takes an unexpected turn. Juan Collado balances portraying Rico's charm and fumbling swagger with nuance and compassion, complementing Destiny Checo's wistful gumption, as the young lovers find themselves in over their heads while playing house.

Critics Reviews

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Jordan Mintzer The Hollywood Reporter The result can be both compelling and a bit amateur at times, though never less than genuine. Jan 31, 2025 Full Review Robert Daniels RogerEbert.com From the first minute until its sobering end, writer/director Joel Alfonso Vargas knows exactly what his debut film should be. Jan 30, 2025 Full Review Vadim Rizov Filmmaker Magazine There’s much overlapping yelling between all four performers in scenes that editor Irfan van Tuijl will often cut away from abruptly... the resolution of each conflict is never the point, but the rhythm of semi-comic confrontation juices things along. Jan 31, 2025 Full Review David Cuevas Next Best Picture Regrettably, while the impressive directorial diligence of Vargas and his photography team shouldn’t go unnoticed, the complementary narrative, unfortunately, prioritizes conventionality over compelling storytelling. Rated: 4/10 Jan 30, 2025 Full Review Jonathan Holland Screen International This amiable, down-to-earth take on a young New Yorker’s struggles to find a role for himself has its flaws, but they can be forgiven on account of Rico (Juan Collado), its shambolic, supremely chill and ever-present protagonist. Jan 27, 2025 Full Review Read all reviews

Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Rico's summer is a wild mix of chasing girls and hustling homemade cocktails out of a cooler on Orchard Beach, the Bronx. But when Destiny, his teenage girlfriend, crashes at his place with his family, it's only a matter of time before his rowdy, carefree days come spiraling down. Using his hometown as a canvas, writer-director Joel Alfonso Vargas immerses us in the beating heart of his lively Dominican American community, collaborating with street-cast actors to bring authenticity and fresh humor to his engrossing debut feature. A blend of improvisation and whip-smart dialogue shape this slice-of-life portrait into an unapologetic look at the bittersweetness of growing up quickly when life takes an unexpected turn. Juan Collado balances portraying Rico's charm and fumbling swagger with nuance and compassion, complementing Destiny Checo's wistful gumption, as the young lovers find themselves in over their heads while playing house.
Director
Joel Alfonso Vargas
Producer
Paolo Maria Pedullà
Screenwriter
Joel Alfonso Vargas
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 41m