LA SOGA: SALVATION – Review

For a definition of what people mean when they describe a crime drama as “gritty,” look no further than LA SOGA: SALVATION, a mostly-subtitled tale of a former Dominican hit man, Luisito (writer/director Manny Perez), struggling to leave that life after a personal tragedy. He’s moved many times to avoid the cartels and corrupt politicians he’d targeted. He was one of the “good” assassins, bumping off the worst of the bad guys ruining his country. Think of him as playing the vigilante role somewhere between a Zorro and a Dexter. We meet him in Rhode Island with a new love, Lia (Sarah Jorge Leon), while living small to stay under the radar of former associates and enemies. Of course, that doesn’t work, or we wouldn’t have much of a movie.

His past catches up in the form of some guys trying to kill him and others taking Lia as a hostage to force him to do one more hit, and recover a thumb drive with vital information. Complicating his ordeal is the presence of another skilled assassin, Dani (Hada Vanessa), whose reasons for entering this mare’s nest remain obscure for much of the film.

The low-budget look of the production works as an asset. Everything occurs in rundown urban settings, in gray, overcast weather. No sunshine on the set or in Perez’ character’s life, other than the slim hope for a peaceful new life with his new love. The cast of relatively unknown actors (at least to many U.S. audiences) adds to the suspense of how things will play out, since everyone seems more expendable than major stars tend to be. The most familiar face belongs to Juan Fernandez, whose name you may not know, but any fan of cartel, gangland and other crime flicks will instantly recognize from a zillion supporting roles. Actually, it’s only about 70, but his distinctive looks and bearing always enhance those productions. Even dropping in for a metaphoric cup of coffee here, his presence is a plus.

Many are tortured, maimed or killed – often in gruesome visual and auditory detail. This aspect of the film is not for the faint of heart. But the oft-used premise of a bad guy trying to be good despite pressures pulling him back to the dark side plays out efficiently, with a suitable balance of action and character development, satisfying the urge for visceral kicks, while developing empathy for the principals.

Perez turns in a solid performance as the stone-cold killer scrambling to do what’s needed to save the day and leave his past in the past for good. But the one who really makes this story compelling is Hada Vanessa, who sizzles as the type of sexy psycho killer one may associate with a Gina Gershon, or Sofia Boutella’s show-stopping turn as the spring-legged slasher in the first KINGSMAN movie. Or several of Juliette Lewis’ earlier roles.

As a whole, LA SOGA: SALVATION is nothing special. But among options in the genre, it’s well above average in delivering bang for your buck. As writer and director, Perez crafted a fine vehicle for the acting side of his career, while showing how much he could accomplish on an apparently minimal budget, increasing his potential for more work behind the camera as well.

LA SOGA: SALVATION, in English and Spanish with subtitles, opens Friday, Jan. 28, in selected theaters and on demand on Roku and Vudu.

RATING: 2.5 out of 4 stars