By Rachel Galvin
Awww… the ‘80s – big hair, Valley speak, mix tapes and landlines …. Anyone who is nostalgic for that awesome era will totally love the film “The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo.” Much like a John Hughes movie, this motion picture captures teenage angst in all its gnarliness.
It features a shy virginal Jewish girl, Julie Anna Mirodin who finds herself falling for Juan (Alexandro Byrd), an exchange student from Spain who comes to stay with her family. The problem is that Juan, who is not very liked back home, gets a new sense of confidence in the U.S. and finds himself very popular among the ladies. He doesn’t seem to give poor Julie a second look. Will she ever get the courage to make him see her in a new way?
Julie is also privy to drama all around her in the halls of her White Plains, NY high school. Her best friend, Suzanne (Hannah Kepple) has her own issues with boys. Another friend is dealing with racism. Homophobia and bullying are on display. These types of situations are certainly relatable to anyone who has been in high school, especially back in those days. But, no matter the problem, everything was better with a trip to the mall. Life used to be so simple. Those were the days!
This film is a bit of a slow burn, but fun throughout with tons of retro pop culture references you have not seen for awhile. The great ‘80s music alone is a reason to tune into this film. The basement makeout parties, drinking games and friendship drama will take you right back to your youth. The tension between Julie and Juan will make you root for her but you have to wait til the end to see if she gets the boy.
The young actors in this coming-of-age film are up and comers. Byrd will be in a new Disney Descendants series called “Wicked Wonderland,” Mirodin is known from such shows as “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” and Kepple was in “Cobra Kai.”
The film, which was based on a true story, was just shown at the Miami Jewish Film Festival.
Now, it will be premiering at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on February 20 at 7:15 p.m. at Cinema Paradiso, 2008 Hollywood Boulevard, in Hollywood, FL, with a Q&A to follow with Star Alexandro Byrd, Director Michael Walker and Co-Writer Susan Gomes. There will also be a screening February 21 at 5 p.m. at Paragon Ridge at 9200 W. State Road 84, in Davie, FL with a Q&A with Director Michael Walker and Co-Writer Susan Gomes.
Tickets can be purchased online here