“Quality of Life,” a film set in San Francisco, gives the insightful perspectives of two young men who are consumed with doing graffiti art in the Mission District, while running and hiding from the police - until everything comes crashing down on them.

Benjamin Morgan, a former at-risk youth and Bay Area local, directed
and co-wrote the film with Brian Burnam, who plays Curtis Smith, one of the graffiti artists spurred on to express himself through his art.

In Morgan’s debut role, he proves that sometimes the best stories come from personal experiences- for his own influenced his work.

In the film, main characters Michael “Heir” Rosario (Lane Garrison) and friend Curtis “Vain” Smith (Brian Burnam) spend their days waiting for evening to fall to hide them from the world and allow them to escape into their illegal passion - graffiti art.

One telling scene shows Rosario and Smith critiquing the intricate designs they’ve tagged on concrete buildings. To hear them discuss how their graffiti should look gives viewers a glimpse into the process of how to create such large pieces of work.

In another scene, Michael and Curtis are caught painting late at night by the police and are sentenced to spend days in prison - along with community service.

Suddenly their lives are shaken and they are hit with the reality of doing hard time.

Fighting to keep their art alive, the two men began to make choices, good and bad, that impact their lives in ways they could never understand.

The film documents real problems that many people face, such as the question of whether education is relevant toward all professions.

In one scene, Rosario questions the validity of a college degree when he tries to get a job. As an artist he believes talent should be the determining factor of his ability to perform in the workplace - not an expensive education.

Two supporting actors who help to carry the story are Joel Rosario (Luis Saguar), who plays “Heir’s” harsh father, and Lisa (Mackenzie Firgens), who is Smith’s live-in girlfriend.

Both characters guide and pull the graffiti artists along the path of life, while causing the young men to confront the real world.

As the film heads into its climax, both the friendship and lives of Rosario and Smith hang in the balance.

The acting and content of the film rises to tell a moving drama that highlights issues such as social class and economic standing.

With an impressive soundtrack that features artists such as Modest Mouse, Mr. Lif and Built to Spill, the music adds to the storytelling.
When Rosario and Smith are tagging amazing works of graffiti in the Muni tunnels of San Francisco, the hip-hop beat pounds with the movements in the scene, bringing the art to life.

At times the cinematography is impressive, using unusual angles and props to capture scenes in diverse ways. In one impressive scene, when Rosario and Smith are in a convenience store, shots are taken through the large round security mirrors by the cashier stand.

The gritty style of the film gives it an in-your-face edge.
The themes of the film confront stereotypes and labels that are assigned to graffiti artists, while still being true to the reality of participating in illegal activity.

With a symbolic ending, the film taps into deeper meanings of art and is not just focused on the lives of two confused young men. There is a much bigger message to the film, with Middle Eastern philosophy at the core and real-life actions demonstrating lessons learned.