BOBBY G. CAN’T SWIM

In the tradition of “Smithereens” and “Rhythm Thief” (19th CIFF, 1995) comes an edgy, indie New York story of marginalized characters ? outlaws, idlers and street people ? going by their own codes of crime, punishment, kindness, and revenge with a narrative so straight-up, raw, and punchy that you won't soon fugedaboutit. In a virtuoso performance before and behind the cameras, John-Luke Montias plays Bobby G. (`G.' for `Grace'), a wiry small-time pusher best known for his bad luck. But no longer, he claims. “I'm going to be living large in a matter of days,” he boasts to his hooker girlfriend after a trio of out-of-town yuppies asks Bobby to be their middleman in a novice cocaine deal. With nothing to back him up, and the patience of a druglord at a dangerous low, Bobby tries to pull off the transaction. If anything should go wrong, he's dead. Never mind that this antihero's not exactly the poster boy for Mayor Guiliani's newly-polished Big Apple, your palms will sweat and your mouth will go dry as something does indeed go wrong, and Bobby G. faces the toughest day of his sidewalk life.