FAMILY togetherness goes only so far. Witness “The Big Shot-Caller,” a lackluster soaper written and directed by Marlene Rhein, who stars with her brother, David Rhein. (They portray brother and sister, no less.)
Life has always been a hassle for David’s character, Jamie, who’s severely nearsighted and perpetually in the dumps. But lately things have spiraled even further downward for the young man, who toils as an accountant in an anonymous Manhattan office.
Jamie has lost his girlfriend, his job and his apartment. So, in a bit of a stretch, he turns for advice to his sister, Lianne, whom he hasn’t seen in 10 years.
All you have to do is learn to salsa and you’ll be a new man, she offers. (Guess what? She’s right!)
The acting is so-so and the fragmented script leaves several plot turns dangling: When Lianne goes to the hospital for treatment of an unspecified ailment, the subject is dropped as quickly as it was introduced.
Marlene Rhein has directed 40 music videos, including ones for Tupac Shakur and Amy Winehouse. Judging by this, her feature debut, she should stick with the music.
In Spanish and English, with English subtitles. Running time: 90 minutes. Not rated (profanity, sex). At the Quad, 13th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues.