Indie Film Review “Becoming Vera” An inspired, creative, emotional lesson in persevering to accomplish a dream
WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW:
First, the Recap:
Bring dragged down while in pursuit of your dreams. We can all attest life isn’t quite fair, sometimes it feels more often than not. Yet we strive towards those things which not only mean the most to us in general, but ideally represent precisely what we’ve always wished to find lasting commitment to and success with. When it comes, then, to those opportunities we suddenly find ourselves in the midst of to see it all happen, do we push forward, or let obstacles pull us down?
In Miami, Vera (Raquel Lebish) does indeed have a plan, a wish, and a dream….to be a new force in the emerging and lucrative market that is Latin Jazz. Already a prodigy as a pianist and overall musician, Vera must constantly overcome the realities of poverty and life on the streets while seeking her chance. When it arrives, can she navigate a path through the harsh world of the music business and her own inner battles to rise above and become something more?
Next, my Mind:
It’s statements about the actuality of involuntary OR self-made destitution, the volatility of being in the foster care system, the belief we can make more of ourselves even when the odds seem stacked against us, conquering our insecurities, the sometimes unethical nature of business, and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit to achieve our ambitions that ALL permeate the atmosphere created by this deeply impactful, emotionally potent, and decidedly overall winning 87-minute indie feature film from Cascabel Films, Incandescent Entertainment, writer/director/producer/editor Sergio Vizuete, producers Yuchuan Cao and Jiarui Guo, plus executive producers Mary Aloe and Vince Jolivette. Taking on the distinct honor October 6th of being the Opening Night film at the inaugural 2025 Film Festival At Hollywood Park (which runs 10/06-10/12), this critic can not truly imagine a better style of film to capture festival attendees from the start, as it is this type of highly effective, utterly relatable, NECESSARY messaging, and quality cinema that deserves attention and the contemplative, stirring ambiance it presents.
Buoyed by smartly conceived writing, adept direction, a particularly stellar lead in her feature film debut, and a backdrop of both Miami’s streets and Latin Jazz scene, the narrative sees the joys and sorrows of a young Latina/Hispanic musical prodigy trying to discover the big break she needs to fulfill and share her talents while showcasing the dogged passion to rise above her circumstances she possesses. What stands out immediately is the perfectly grounded nature of the film’s exploration of these facets on the surface level alone, combining what could be construed as a traditional “underdog” story on one hand while then candidly portraying the difficulties faced by young men and women who’ve had to come up through, then end up aging out of, the foster care system, with the support they need present, yet their true potential or drive to better themselves still left in question. This is the realism and relevancy of this film’s story that’s so imperative to absorb, lending a completely tangible, palpably engaging, compelling credibility to everything we see.
However, what impresses further is how conspicuously and impactfully the narrative addresses the hinted at dichotomy above which deals with the plainly energetic motivation someone might have to do whatever it takes to gain the inroads to exhibit and create awareness of our talents in order to press towards that end goal vs. illustrating those who really have the opposite viewpoint and seem content to be capable, yet still just drift along. The idea of the former’s degree of sacrifice involved, while also wishing and striving for others to understand and come alongside, is persuasively examined throughout this film’s course, but then so IS the OTHER side of the figurative coin via one of the other primary character’s part in events and their relationship to the Vera’s path, which therefore imbues the story with underlying tension that is so reflective of anyone of us who’ve ever had to put aside even other things, or possibly people, we totally love in order to pursue our pivotal aim and/or objective. This is LIFE as seen through challenges that make us walk through the fire and test our resolve to see things come about for the better.
Thematically, the film utilizes these foundational concepts to then branch off into further tangents that cover the issues of poverty, street life, hunger (in a myriad of forms, really), the flow of a creative’s mind, the bonds of friendship, basic survival and associated desperation that can forms a catalyst for either change or succumbing to apathy, taking risks, the pressures of expectation and how it is placed upon us, whether by our own actions or those of others, looking to believe in second chances that may not exist, the no-nonsense and decidedly self-serving, even cut-throat nature of the music business, jealousy, being diminished or even undersold despite putting forth our best efforts, and the unequivocal victory of showing what we’re made of when making a much needed and deserved comeback plus playing from the HEART and silencing the critics are all aspects this film takes on, the very latter of those which delivers a finale that makes you experience both a resounding “YES!!!” of supportive elation AND a soberingly tear-jerking sense of empathy for Vera’s character that so proficiently serves the narrative and themes with undeniable force.
Young actors are a marvel to me over the last 5-10 years, as the sheer wealth of talent they possess honestly blows my mind, so often presenting acting skills that far exceed their actual years. Well, yes, you guessed it, here we find ourselves declaring it AGAIN, thanks to a fantastically vibrant, delightfully endearing, dramatically intense, one hundred percent composed, balanced, and believable performance by debut star Lebish in her role as Vera, an 18-year old girl having to struggle against, but also defy the world around her in order to see a dream evolve into a reality. Already accustomed to overcoming adversity through growing up in the foster care system, Vera works any and every job she can just to survive on the Miami streets (and random “acquired” homes she and her two best friends find means to inhabit) even as her abounding talent as a pianist profoundly steers her toward a final plan….to be a Latin Jazz performer at the highest levels. When this comes knocking via a local studio space she’s working at, it will cause a journey of self-reflection, discovery, fortitude, and decision that alters everything she is…and wants to be.
The pure emotive strength and poise that Lebish unveils here is indisputable, and the actress’ abilities that are demonstrated beyond acting itself are stunning, especially given the HIGH difficulty of the Latin Jazz music the film excels at brandishing. Gabriel Diehl plays Hector, the owner of the studio that provides Vera with at least a chance to show what she can do, but is also a man who knows the rather unscrupulous ins and outs of the business and may not necessarily have Vera’s best interests in mind when it comes to assessing her readiness or talents in the Latin Jazz arena. Nicolas Pozo is Jake, another product of the foster system who comes into Vera’s circle and soon turns into more than just a new acquaintance. But, will he be able to find the ways to encourage and support her when he begins to notice that so much of her effort and time is IMMERSED in the musical dream…and could then push him to the side. Mikaela Monet plays Ellen, both the de facto assistant and a like-minded but Julliard-trained pianist at Hector’s studio who very much tries to make it evident she is Queen Bee in spite of Vera’s evident talents, a foil to the latter’s plans.
Primary supporting roles arrive from Brandon Williams as Daniel, a long-standing friend of Vera’s as they’ve come up together since childhood through the foster care avenue, and who maintains his support and presence as they both strive to just LIVE, and Phillip Andre Botello is Ari, the head of a local follow-up/placement agency for the foster system that has tried his level best to find gainful employment and life paths for the three sometimes rather wayward and stubborn friends. Additional appearances as made by Victoria Fraunberger, JD Driskill, Stuart G Murphy, and Lonnie Jackson. So, in total, “Becoming Vera” is a standout story about raw passion, determination, failing and prevailing, and never backing down that we might confront, then excel and ascend beyond, our misfortunes and life’s trials in order to realize our innate significance and while relishing the rewards for pushing through. THIS is what we NEED more of in this world. Period.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
