chop shop written directed ramin bahrani  man push cart bahrani specializes character driven studies naturalist style films sort little people get passed every day without anyone ever really noticing there new york br br these people pushed fringe society exist sort grey world many migrants whose legal status america appears somewhat doubtful come  get  cope  end  feel good stories such stories survival basic day day level br br ale one street kid education hustles anyway can save money also beyond turning petty theft mostly anxious reunited older sister see early scenes ringing safe house looking her real success young friend carlos gets job chop shop shadows shea baseball stadium eventually older sister comes live site him jealous motives friends suspicious makes extra money dreams buying food van setting vending business older sister br br bahrani shoots films location nothing glossy glossed them life people live it raw lt pretty although never ominous slightly despairing air hangs much film one hangs peoples everyday livesbr br the script also natural characters given plenty scope room work in polanco outstanding lead role gonzalez gives solid support older sister