Yo Soy Boricua, Pa'Que Tu Lo Sepas!

Rosie Perez hasn't enjoyed a decent film role since her Oscar-nominated turn in Fearless (1993), so it's good news to see her taking greater control of her career here as a director—or co-director, since veteran documentary helmer Liz Garbus also has her hands on the wheel. Still, Yo Soy Boricua, Pa'Que Tu Lo Sepas! ("I'm Puerto Rican, Just So You Know!") is very much Perez's film, which is good and bad. On the plus side, the film shines a light on the curious relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States—invaded and annexed by the United States during the Spanish-American War of 1898, the country still maintains a shaky “commonwealth” status that undermines self-determination. On the minus side, however, this is not a serious documentary about Puerto Rican heritage, but more of an excuse for Perez to talk about her family's experiences and, not surprisingly, enjoy too much of the running time as the star of her own movie (though she cedes narration duties to Jimmy Smits). Although the vibrancy of the Puerto Rican experience—culminating in the colorful and often raucous Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York—is made evident despite Perez's camera hogging, the film will find its biggest audience to be fans of the actress. Optional. Aud: P. (P. Hall)