Model Minority (2012)
Kayla, an underprivileged Japanese American 16 year old, endangers her promising future as an aspiring artist when she becomes involved with a drug dealer.
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Why so much hype?
Simply Perfect
Good concept, poorly executed.
Blistering performances.
The plot is contrived and even the "ethnic" elements seem formulaic, as if some white kid from the suburbs thought it up. "Good girl from dysfunctional family gets involved with a bad crowd"--a classic, but this presentation is just too tame. The characters are not very plausible, and even the "victim" characters are unsympathetic, which really deflates the melodramatic resolution of the movie. The soundtrack is wretched. That said, while there is nothing very interesting going on in this movie, it's not that unpleasant to watch. The story develops smoothly, the characters go through the expected motions, the production is good enough: it's uninspired, not stupid. Or maybe I just have a fetish for girls riding bicycles.
Let's be clear about where this review is gonna go. Lily Mariye has created an amazing film of complex characters that is driven by an outstanding performance by lead actress Nicole Bloom in her first feature film role. Not only does Nicole command your attention, but she has the ability to weave through the diversity of her character's emotions without banging the audience over the head with extremes. No doubt she and the other actors have the director to thank for defining all the characters carefully without making them dramatic, dull or one dimensional. While the film deals with an interracial family and some of the issues specific to being hapa, it doesn't diminish the fact that the issues of family, adolescence, love and pain cannot be understand and the characters being relatable to anyone who sees the film. The story is original, insightful and in the end thought provoking showing the trial and tribulations of life and growing up along with all the hope and joy that life has to offer. In case you didn't read the first couple of sentences or forgot already, this is a film to put on your "must see" list.