Hellbent on Boogie

There is an earnestness in writer and director Vito Trupiano's **HELLBENT ON BOOGIE** that will remind you at times of **LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE** and **WHAT'S EATING GILBERT GRAPE**. At its center, is a broken family, torn apart by failure, and despair. The not-so-prodigal return of wayward son, Alan (played by Shiloh Fernandez) is met with unease by the local community trailer park where single Mom (Doreen Llorena) resides, run by a local Pastor Elswit (John Farley). In contrast, Alan's autistic sister, Quinn (played by newcomer Alyx Ruibal) is ecstatic to have her older bother home again. Reconnecting with his family and community, Alan soon discovers Quinn's dream of winning a local dancing competition -- and after investing his own time and resources into helping her, hatches a plan to make her dream a reality. **HELLBENT ON BOOGIE** will tug at your heart for its authentic depiction of the perseverance of families who struggle to make ends meet in an America that can sometimes feel unyielding to dreams and goals. Fernandez shines as a veritable 'Artful Dodger' whose heart is always in the right place as the protective and loving older brother to Ruibal's Quinn. Scenes with Fernandez and Ruibal remain a highlight of this film that celebrates the power of sibling relationships, and overcoming challenges fearlessly. Streaming on TUBI, MUBI, & APPLE TV, I highly recommend this.