Director: Justin Chon
Starring: Justin Chon, Alicia Vikander
Sad, sad movie.
Best drama of the year.
That’s “Blue Bayou.”
Also, this movie will be opening some very big doors for Justin Chon. It’s not just that he will be a very serious contender at Oscars and Golden Globes but as well, there will be lots of positives for him in the modern cinema world due to his total involvement in this project: acting, producing, writing, and directing. This is a big step for Chon: huge.
On the negative side, it is repeating a common topic. Racial discrimitaion, rigid and in so many cases, senseless immigration law, dismal individual rights are realistic socio-dramas of this society. These are good themes for all forms of artistic expression. But, as everything else; if it’s used too much-that’s not it. It loses its value. It is becoming so formal, so there is a big chance of creating the opposite effect, creating a political and social echo which will be lost in the air. It will go in empty space. It will not send a message. It will not touch those it aims for. “Blue Bayou ” and many projects with almost identical projection of this same socio-political message are at great risk to do more damage than good, for just one, simple reason: there are too many of them. They are losing weight just because they are overflowing all electronics media and net platforms.
The sad story is about Korean natve Antonio LeBlanc. Adopted in the United States 30 years ago at a very young age. His new parents gave him a new name and treated him so badly that he left home as a teenager. Now, when he finally tries to settle down with his own family, he will face the biggest challenge of his life: the immigration bureaucracy and some gross absurdities in immigration law. He’s facing deportation. He is fighting to stay tough through one big life drama and the stress and turbulence of other events happening around him. He’ll fail in his efforts. He’ll be deported after 3 decades of life as every other American citizen.
From a cinematic point of view, the movie is just average. Cameras, filming, production design and the complete look of the movie will tell that it’s low budget. But, that is not crucial for this type of movie. They are carrying messages and they want to make some tear jerker moments in the theatres and in front of your TV at home.
Watch the movie if you are a drama lover.
Have a box of Kleenex ready. The last movie scene is heavier than the endings of “Kramer vs. Kramer” and “The Boxer” combined.
