WILLOW TREE, THE

South Bronx teenager Bobby and his girlfriend, Maria, are jumped by four Latinos led by Raul, who beat Bobby with a chain and throw lye into Maria's face. When she is disfigured, Maria commits suicide, and Bobby, who has taken refuge with Holocaust survivor Moishe, vows revenge. Moishe teaches Bobby about the debilitating effects of hate; when the opportunity comes for Bobby to kill Raul, he rejects it.