A fast lane of love on ‘Streets’

Imagine Vin Diesel and Paul Walker’s street-racing saga “The Fast and the Furious” transformed into a lyrical, stylized romantic tragedy and one would have some idea of what Joey Curtis’ unsparing yet beguiling “Streets of Legend” is like. Of course, street racing is steeped in danger and folly, but Curtis, who was a street racer, and his virtuoso cinematographer, Derek Cianfrance, know how to exude the intoxicating allure it presents to young people, crossing ethnic and socioeconomic lines in its appeal.

Victor Larios’ Chato is a first-generation Guatemalan American still living at the family home with his mother, grandmother and younger brother. A solid, chunky youth with a shaved head and steeped in machismo, he is intensely drawn to his girlfriend, Noza (Brihanna Hernandez), a beautiful, proud Latina princess possessed of a deeply religious and poetic nature. She is aware of her power over Chato yet is essentially a dreamy innocent. After Chato tries to fake a drug test and lands in jail for violating his probation, Noza is devastated to learn that he casually cheated on her with her best friend. Chato’s absence and betrayal paves the way for Noza to respond to the attentions of another street racer, Quattro (Robert Beaumont), a handsome youth who lives with his widowed father (Gary Brockette). Incarceration, however, only inflames Chato’s love for Noza, whom he regards as his possession.

The film’s plot is but a point of departure for a celebration of the exhilarating emotional power and profoundly fatalistic attraction of racing and romantic passion. “Streets of Legend” catches fire in an instant and affords tremendous visual, visceral charge. Even though it is ultimately anything but an endorsement for street racing, the movie stunningly captures its undeniable excitement. “Streets of Legend,” which is dedicated to the memory of experimental filmmaker Stan Brakhage, who taught Curtis at the University of Colorado, is a terrific calling card for the young director.

-- Kevin Thomas

“Streets of Legend,” rated R for pervasive language, some violence, sexuality and drug use. (1:32). Exclusively at the Chinese 6, 6925 Hollywood Blvd., (323) 777-FILM, #002.

Standard-issue comedy, rehashed

In “Just Friends,” Ryan Reynolds, who has established himself as an actor by demonstrating his versatility and not relying on his looks, plays a young man who 10 years earlier left New Jersey suburbia as a sensitive, overweight, double-chinned and much-abused high school student but returns as a buff, handsome high-powered Hollywood music executive. An unexpected detour on his way to Paris brings him home again, making him realize he still loves the local girl (Amy Smart) who back then told him she loved him -- like a brother. His challenge is to make her see him as a love interest and not just her best friend from school days.

There have been worse premises for a romantic comedy, but director Roger Kumble and writer Adam “Tex” Davis could scarcely have done a worse job developing it. This is a standard-issue gross Hollywood knockabout comedy in which slapstick antics have been piled up with a steam shovel and driven home with a sledgehammer. Reynolds and Smart are game and even dimensional, but all others are stuck playing tiresome, obnoxious characters.

-- K.T.

“Just Friends,” rated PG-13 for sexual content, including some dialogue. (1:34) In general release.