Saving Face

Saving Face, a Sony Pictures Classic, is now available on DVD for your viewing pleasure. The 2004 romantic comedy/drama was the project of first time director Alice Wu. It chronicles the complicated life of a promising young Chinese American surgeon, Wilhemina (played by the talented Michelle Krusiec), as she balances her career, her obligations to her conservative family, and the demands of a new relationship which she has come to value. The name of the movie comes from the Chinese social relation concept (often in the form of subtle power plays or selfless acts to keep someone else from embarrassment while preserving the status quo), which perfectly describes the heart of her problem; how to be true to herself as a professional and as a woman in the modern world, and remain a dutiful daughter in the traditional one.

“Saving Face” introduces us to Wilhemina, a New Yorker who takes the #7 train weekly to visit her family, part of a tight-knit Chinese community located in Flushing, Queens. She is careful to keep her two worlds separated, but circumstances conspire against her when her widowed mother (played by Joan Chen) winds up on her doorstep pregnant and outcast (father unknown). Wil has to placate Ma while keeping her relationship with her beautiful dancer girlfriend (Lynn Chen) on the down low. Of course Ma is no fool; she is aware of her daughter’s tendencies, but the issue must be skirted because her daughter cannot be gay. Wil has tolerated her mother’s attempts to hook her up with proper Chinese boys at the Friday night socials for years, but to no avail. Ironically, it is Ma (who only speaks Mandarin and rarely steps outside of the confines of her social web) who has fallen from grace and must do the right thing to get back in good social standing.

The casting for Saving Face is brilliant. All the actors shine in their roles, creating contrast and chemistry that makes you laugh through the tears. The performances are heartfelt - never forced, and despite the fairy tale ending, quite believable. With the exception of Joan Chen, I was not familiar with any of the actors, but was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of the talent. Joan Chen played Ma to perfection and the other two leads were very strong, Krusiec playing the brilliant tomboy surgeon to Chen’s worldly elegance and street smarts. The introduction of a black neighbor as a regular character added a lot of comedy to the mix.

One billion Chinese people, two degrees of separation – Saving Face.

The director clearly put a lot of love into this project and it shows in every scene. Though there are some obvious stereotypes, the story gives you a real sense of Chinese culture across generations. And no matter how you feel about the lesbian relationship that is depicted, most people can easily relate to this drama regardless of race or sexual orientation. “Saving Face” presents the human condition just as it is in real life, complicated and messy, and at no time did I feel that the director had some kind of political agenda to force on the audience. “Saving Face” is one of the most intelligent and thoroughly entertaining movies I have seen in some time, keeping me completely enthralled from beginning to end.

“Saving Face” is in English, however many scenes have Chinese dialogue, so I recommend that you be sure to have the subtitles on display while you watch or you will miss out on some hilarious one liners. Though tastefully done, there is a scene of sexuality, so viewer be warned.

“Saving Face” was a favorite for many at the Sundance and Toronto Film Festivals. The movie has the high production values of a Hollywood film with a strong independent spirit. The film is a rare gem, one of those pleasant surprises that come around only so often, one that you will come to cherish. I give it my highest rating.

It is never too late to fall in love for the first time – Saving Face.

Resources for Saving Face
http://www.sonyclassics.com/savingface/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Face

10 Items or Less

10 Items or Less, a film by Brad Silberling, is now available to rent or purchase. It is a comedy/drama starring Morgan Freeman and the wonderful Paz Vega (Spanglish). I really had not heard anything about this movie, but I always enjoy Freeman’s work and the story seemed interesting enough. I was in the mood for a quirky movie and this one seemed to fit the bill, so I took a chance.

In 10 Items or Less, Morgan Freeman plays the part of an actor researching the role of a supermarket manager. Known for his roles in detective and buddy cop movies, the once popular actor is looking to perhaps rejuvenate his career with a more substantial part in an independent film. Stranded by his driver at the grocery store he is staking out, he is forced to rely on a stranger for help, setting off a string of events that lead to a rather odd but charming friendship to develop.

His new friend turns out to be a fiery checkout clerk at a Latino market on the fringe of Los Angeles. Scarlet (Paz Vega) is intelligent, outspoken, and intimidating to customers. She is a no nonsense employee who basically runs the place through common sense and force of will. The actor, completely out of his league in this environment and unable to even make a phone call to get home, turns to Scarlet, who is coming off of a long shift. She reluctantly agrees to give him a ride.

It turns out that Scarlet has her own problems, one of which is getting to a job interview. The actor agrees to be her mentor and help prepare her to ace the interview. The bargain is struck and comedy ensues. They come from disparate backgrounds, but this odd couple finds that they have more in common than they could have possibly imagined. Though the movie has comedic elements, it is more of a drama than a laugh factory. Paz Vega does a very credible job of giving off a sense of desperation through her veneer of bravado. Everything about her surroundings (beautifully captured by the director) and her personal situation seems hopeless. She is determined, however, to at least try to break out of her bleak circumstances.

Freeman, as always, does a wonderful job portraying an aging actor with less than stellar opportunities. There is one scene, where he sees a video of one of the movies he starred in on clearance and tries to hide it, that hit home with me. It had the ring of truth to it. Freeman and Vega play off of each other perfectly, two people in need of change and the courage to make it happen. Refreshingly, their relationship does not blossom into a romance, and they both seem to realize that, at the end of the day, they will never see each other again. The relationship is meaningful beyond words, nonetheless, setting "10 Items or Less" apart from the normal summer movie pabulum.

"10 Items or Less" is not a perfect movie, but it is undeniably charming. Perhaps not for everyone, this movie is a great way to cleanse the movie viewing palette. To me, it was worth watching just to see the chemistry between Morgan Freeman (whose character is never mentioned by name) and Paz. 10 Items or Less is rated ‘R’ for language, which is a shame because, in my mind, it did not serve the script and could have been excised from the dialogue.

On a side note, according to Wikipedia, “10 Items or Less was the first film in history to be legally released for download through the internet while it was still in theaters. ClickStar made the movie available digitally on December 15th, 2006, a mere 14 days after it made its theatrical debut.”

Sometimes in life you have to change lanes – 10 Items or Less.

Resources - 10 Items or Less
http://www.myriadpictures.com/film.php?film=76
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10_Items_or_Less_(film)

Pan's Labyrinth

When I first saw the previews to "Pan’s Labyrinth", I was blown away. I knew it was a movie I had to see. When it was finally released I checked the local listings and was surprised to find that it was only playing in select theaters. I had to travel a bit to see it, but it was well worth my time. Pan’s Labyrinth was not the fairy tale I was led to believe it was by the previews, though. In fact, it was totally different from anything I had anticipated, but it turned out to be a cinematic masterpiece of another kind.

“Long ago in the Underground Realm…where there are no lies or pain, there lived a Princess who dreamt of the human world. She dreamt of blue skies, the soft breeze and sunshine…One day, eluding her keepers, the Princess escaped – Pan’s Labyrinth.”

Guillermo Del Toro's film, Pan’s Labyrinth, is about a young girl, Ofelia (magnificently played by Ivana Baquero), who discovers a gateway to a fantasy realm. Stuck in a nightmare reality, too harsh for her to endure, she uses this portal, fueled by love and imagination, as a form of escape.

The time is 1944, towards the end of the Spanish Civil War. The setting of Pan’s Labyrinth is the Spanish countryside. Ofelia’s pregnant mother has just moved them here to be with her new father, a tyrant named Vidal (Sergi López), who is a captain in the civil guard. His enemies are members of the resistance who are fighting against the fascist regime.

At the beginning of the story, Ofelia is led to Pan’s Labyrinth by a strange winged creature where she meets the keeper of the labyrinth, a faun played by Doug Jones. The flying creature special effects are truly amazing, reminding me of Del Toro’s work in Mimic. The faun, another amazingly crafted creature, informs her that she is an ancient princess who has forgotten her true home. To find her way back she must perform three tasks. In the course of completing her tasks she is confronted with a very bizarre cast of characters including a giant toad, the Pale Man, and fairy like creatures who guide her in her quest.

Del Toro borrows techniques from some of the darker fables to paint a landscape both grim and beautiful. He masterfully mixes fantasy with reality, history with make believe. Make no mistake; this movie has some gruesome elements, scenes of torture and war. In some ways it reminds me of Schindler’s List with Alice in Wonderland mixed in. Pan’s Labyrinth earns its ‘R’ rating due to graphic violence and language. Clearly it is not a movie for children, but rather a fairy tale for adults

Like so many movies of today, Del Toro casts religion in a bad light by having the clergy in league with the villains (certainly not without historical precedent). It is a shame that the message of the gospel is so often distorted by people who claim to embrace it. But even with that, the film is fraught with Christian symbolism: A fall from grace, the shedding of innocent blood, childlike faith, sacrifice, selfless love, and ultimately redemption-Pan’s Labyrinth has it all. Truth be told, this parable has profound spiritual implications. Though Pan’s Labyrinth is not allegorical in nature, C.S. Lewis would have probably been right at home with people who appreciate this film.

“In darkness there can be light – Pan’s Labyrinth.”

Pan’s Labyrinth is in Spanish with English subtitles, but don’t let that keep you from an epic viewing experience. The film is visually stunning, with scenes so hauntingly beautiful that they stayed with me long after leaving the theater. Pan’s Labyrinth has won 3 academy awards (best cinematography, best art direction, and best makeup). The soundtrack, by Javier Navarrete, compliments the movie perfectly. I highly recommend Pan’s Labyrinth. Pan’s Labyrinth is a powerful and deeply moving film. Take a journey that will make you believe.

“Innocence has a power evil cannot imagine – Pan’s Labyrinth.”

Resources for Pan’s Labyrinth
http://www.panslabyrinth.com/panslabyrinth.html
http://www.christianitytoday.com/movies/reviews/2006/panslabyrinth.html