ROMANTICO
(three stars)
IN an era when almost all documentaries are shot on ugly digital video, Mark Becker’s “Romantico” is beautifully realized on old-fashioned film. And that’s only part of its charms.
The unlikely subject is Camelo Sanchez, a 57-year-old mariachi musician who ekes out a living performing with his partner, Arturo Arias, at Mexican restaurants in San Francisco, moonlighting in a car wash during the day.
During the 3½ years covered by this documentary, Sanchez returns to his native Mexico for the first time in years.
But the heartbreaking reality – his sorrows expressed through his songs more than anything else – is that he can’t continue supporting his family with odd jobs unless he returns to the United States. “Romantico” is muy bueno.
Running time: 80 minutes. Not rated (nothing offensive). At the IFC Center, Sixth Avenue and Third Street.