Downtown: A Street Tale

Rafal Zielinski’s raw urban drama follows the lives of several inner-city kids united by their relationship with homeless shelter Haven House, its no-nonsense counselor (Bujold) and the local street savior (Dedio). The ragtag group includes a heroin dealer (Chad Allen), a knocked-up teen (Domenica Cameron-Scorsese, Marty’s daughter) and her ne’er-do-well boyfriend (James Ransone), a manic-depressive hooker (Mihaela Tudorof) and other characters with equally tragic stories. Despite good intentions, as Downtown plods toward its Christmas Eve--set climax, the film’s tendency to OD on melodrama detracts from its grittier moments. (Opens Fri; Click here for venues.) — Erin Clements