Star Maps

REVIEW
Funny, controversial and sexy, this melodramatic independent drama makes for absorbing viewing. Baby-faced but tough-minded Carlos (Spain) returns to L.A. and his unconventional family after a two-year absence in Mexico. Only 18 years old, he dreams of making it big as a Latino movie star. His weasel of a dad gets his hands on him first, however, and is recruited into the family business: selling maps to the homes of the stars, which is only a thinly veiled front for running a prostitution ring made up primarily of young Hispanic men who service both men and women. But Carlos has his sights set much higher than just peddling his flesh -- and when a beautiful soap actress takes him under her wing, Carlos' tyrannical, violence-prone father has other thoughts about his son's future. Will Carlos succeed in Hollywood or will the harsh realities of immigrant life take over instead?