Rating of
2/4
Again with the Stereotypes!
Franz Patrick - wrote on 12/13/08
It’s a shame because this movie had a chance to explore a subject I’ve been really curious about: the Asian gay community in the United Kingdom. Instead, it chose to deal with one cliché on top of one another to the point of suffocation. Perhaps the only thing that worked for me was Steven Lim and Gareth Rhys Davis’ strained relationship. There was something real about their relationship because one wants to settle down and one doesn’t want to give up one night stands. Although I can feel more toward one side, I can understand the other side’s positive qualities. At best, some of the scenes reminded me of “Queer as Folk.” Ray Yeung, writer and director, should have thought of deeper material to deal with; to make a real statements about specific LGBT lifestyles. It’s alright to have clichés as long as those clichés rise above the material eventually. This one did not. Chowee Leow is probably the most interesting character here. He’s as unhappy as his best friend but there were subtle scenes when one can feel his true happiness even though not everything is quite how he wants it to be. Acceptance is the common theme of this picture but some of the characters are way into themselves for me to ultimately care. A wiriter should always be careful when it comes to shaping a very flawed character. Not only does that character have to have at least one redeeming quality, the audiences also have to understand that character in order for them to be able to relate. There were some funny bits here and there but it’s not insightful or inspiring enough for me to recommend.
