History tells us many stories of successful musicians attempting to become successful actors. Some are naturals. Some are failures. Some are in-between. Until more evidence is unearthed, I’m going to put Hispanic recording artist Jay Dee (“Hota Day?”) in the in-between. He’s a natural in front of the camera, I think, but he lacks universal likability. Maybe it’s the beard, which looks unnatural on such a young face, like a kid trying to sneak into an R-Rated movie. Well, hey, Señor Jay Dee, now you are an R-Rated movie. Congrats! Congrats?
Semi-biographical film Clika tells the story of Chito (Jay Dee), a wannabe who has to give up the lucrative drug life to become a lucrative recording star. I cannot tell you how unrealistic this film is IRL -especially since it might have actually happened- I can only comment on how unrealistic it looks on film. It starts modestly enough; the musically talented and ridiculously dubbed “Chito” picks peaches for a living in Yuba City, an incorporated farm north of Sacramento. Chito isn’t just picking peaches for himself; the family home he shares with his mother is heavily in the red. There just ain’t enough peaches to cover $20k in mortgage and back taxes owed.
The film spreads it a little thick in presenting us Chito’s heart of gold (helping another poor family in the field), immense talent (underwhelming music videos that go viral instantly), and natural attraction – despite his odd look, Chito seems an instant hit with all the ladies in the film, and one in particular. Music careers are unpredictable. The drug trade is not. Chito’s uncle has a booming marijuana business in need of a good mule or two. Chito pleas for the role. Tío Alfredo (Cristian E. Gutierrez) is reluctant, but eventually gives in, because the clichés won’t write themselves.
Actually, that’s exactly what clichés do, and this film can’t present enough of them.
Oh no, how will Jay Dee and his mother survive?
Oh no, Jay Dee seems like such an honest a forthright young man
Oh no, Jay Dee, don’t push to be a drug mule, it won’t go well
Oh no, Jay Dee has become the thing we knew and feared he’d become
Oh no, the bad guys have come for him
I could write these all day, but the film only lasted
82 minutes. Let me assure you, however, Clika tried to list as many clichés as it could, which makes me wonder what the real actor Jay Dee might be like. Clika struck me as a dull rags-to-riches “yeah, we’ve seen this” story, but what struck me most was the minimal price paid for evil. I’m trying not to spoil this even if the film spoils itself, but Clika offers the friendliest and most lenient “paying for your sins” in a gangsta movie, like, ever.
Oh, it’s that easy to quit without genuine consequence or a huge investment in life lost? Well, hey, why have I never considered being a drug mule?
Luckily, the film was short, but I can’t help finding it a disappointment from any POV you came into the theater bearing – Gangsters will feel cheated, law enforcement reps will feel cheated, immigrants wanting their story told will feel cheated, even the fans of Jay Dee’s music will wonder why the film A) wasn’t a musical and B) cut him off every song he sang. In a word, Clika in underwhelming and will likely die a mercifully quick death. Will we see Jay Dee the actor again? I’m guessing no, but as long as a musician has a following, film careers tend to follow. And what does “Clika” mean? I have no freaking idea. But, to me “clika” usually means “change the channel,” which seems apt.
There once was a singin’ farmboy named Chito
Who thought fame and fortune would be neato
So he became a drug mule
And thought it was cool
Til he got wrapped como un pollo burrito
Rated R, 82 Minutes
Director: Michael Greene
Writer: Michael Greene
Genre: Morality tales that fall short
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Jay Dee fans
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: People hoping for a little more consequence, y’know?
