'R Xmas

R

Released Nov 8, 2002

1h 23m

Crime

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

List

62%

26 Reviews

Tomatometer

45%

250+ Ratings

Audience Score

A drug dealer (Drea de Matteo) tries to save her husband (Lillo Brancato Jr.), also a dealer, from a kidnapper (Ice-T) who is holding him for ransom.

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Ao situar os acontecimento de "'R Xmas" numa Nova Iorque prestes a ser limpa por Giuliani, Abel Ferrara estaria provavelmente a assumir que este seria o seu último deal de rua, antes da lei tomar conta da cidade. O facto de "'R Xmas" decorrer nas vésperas de Natal contribui também para que todo o filme represente uma janela de tempo aberta para a redenção (dos personagens e do próprio Ferrara). A verdade é que nunca até aqui o realizador tinha parecido tão moderado e cauteloso na representação da violência: em "'R Xmas" quase não há tiros e as cenas de pancada são escassas. Nem tão pouco existe por aqui uma noção clara de quais são os heróis e os vilões, o que terá também contribuído para o seu redondo fracasso comercial (foi directamente para vídeo em muitos países certamente). Atípica também é a escolha de uma protagonista (uma poderosa Drea de Matteo) para o principal papel de punho e convicção, num cinema em que quase sempre são os homens a medir forças. Fica a ideia de que "'R Xmas" conclui um ciclo no percurso de Abel Ferrara, ao mesmo tempo que lhe oferece uma derradeira oportunidade para se despedir em paz das armas e das drogas que dominam tantos dos seus filmes (a partir daqui o realizador só muito raramente voltou a tocar nesses vícios e ultimamente até tem surgido associado a um cinema de crença). Sem ser um objecto especialmente cativante, "'R Xmas" merece ser enquadrado no puzzle Ferrara e recuperado depois de ter estreado quase sem promoção.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The other side of Christmas consumerism according to Abel Ferrara.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

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Audience Member

I was really hyped to find a christmas movie starring the ever cool Ice-T, but after watching it a couple times i'm sorry to say it sucks.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

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Audience Member

Gritty, realistic and really excellent performances, especially Drea de Matteo, she is really superb. Good story, fast pace, interesting.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

[url="http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/rxmas/dvd.php?select=3"][img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/movie/coverv/46/199946.jpg[/img][/url] An understated Ferrara delight. An authentic look at a family attempting to make its way through the best schools, best shops, best homes by dealing drugs in NYC. I was completely surprised by this film. I had no expectations for this film. Soundtrack was also good. The addicted American Consumer strikes again.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Now I know there is a lot of negativity surrounding this film, but come on, Ferrera makes even the most simplistic tale seem like a deep, dark study into our society....and more so than most directors. Good improvised performances from Braccato & De Matteo, and personally a good brief turn by Ice T. I know I'll be ribbed for this review, but may Ferrera go on and make films long into future.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Abel Ferrara

Director

Drea de Matteo

The Wife

Lillo Brancato

The Husband

Ice-T

The Kidnapper

Victor Argo

Louie

Naomi Morales

The Niece

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Amy Taubin

Village Voice

I'd welcome another chance to see Abel Ferrara's R-Xmas, a vertiginous, anti-Sopranos riff on middle-class drug dealers...Ferrara's uncharacteristic restraint and understatement registered as a unique accomplishment.

Oct 8, 2019

Full Review

Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

De Matteo ... boasts enough intelligence, attitude and ferocity to ignite even the most mundane of moments.

Rated: B+

Jun 22, 2006

Full Review

V.A. Musetto

New York Post

Ferrara's best film in years.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 22, 2002

Full Review

Eve Tushnet

Patheos

I always enjoy Ferrara’s low-slung sensibility (and an especially low-slung and sidelong camera here–lotta fragmentary or child’s-eye view shots), but I don’t know that I bought what this film was selling.

Dec 16, 2022

Full Review

Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Inspired by a supposedly true story by Cassandra De Jesus, this low-key drama is prime Abel Ferrara territory: a New York tale rumbling with irony and ambiguity.

Jan 5, 2018

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 1/5

Aug 9, 2006

Full Review

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Synopsis

A drug dealer (Drea de Matteo) tries to save her husband (Lillo Brancato Jr.), also a dealer, from a kidnapper (Ice-T) who is holding him for ransom.

Director: Abel Ferrara
Producer: Stefano Celesti, Barry Amato
Screenwriter: Scott Pardo, Abel Ferrara
Production Co: Valence Films Inc., Barnholtz Entertainment
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2002, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 24, 2015
Runtime: 1h 23m
Sound Mix: Surround

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