The Last Best Sunday

When Mexican-American teenager Joseph (Douglas Spain), trying his best to get by in a California town rife with anti-Mexican sentiment, is brutalized by a couple of beered-up gringos, he takes a shotgun to his assailants, as well as to the bigoted bartender of the local saloon. Wounded and fleeing the law, Joseph breaks into the home of high school classmate Lolly Ann Summers (Angela Bettis), whose religiously draconian parents just happen to be away for the weekend. Lolly, who's never even worn make-up, soon takes a shine to Joseph's big brown eyes and burly physique, and…well, you can guess what happens next. Though this little indie plays itself out with nary a surprise, and Spain's perf is painfully bad at times (though his libido does hold up remarkably well against the onset of gangrene), The Last Best Sunday does have its quiet moments, and Ms. Bettis is an impressive screen presence. An optional purchase. (S. C. Sickles)