I was really interested in watching this film, because I follow the stars (Justin Chon and David So) on Youtube.
I was only disappointed that the script chose to not go a certain way when it came to how the black and asian main characters were connected.
I think if Kamilla's (played by Simone Baker) mom had been killed by Eli and Samuel's dad, then that would have been more powerful.
It would explain why Eli and Daniel felt obligated to watch out for Kamilla. And why Kamilla's brother Keith, was so passionate in forbidding her from going to their store.
It would also have tied in to why so many african americans attacked korean american businesses during the riots. Because of a korean business owner killing a unarmed african american (the Latasha Harlins incident) and getting away with it. Much like how the cops got away with brutally beating Rodney King.
I feel like this was a missed opportunity and subtracted a lot of weight from the drama of the film.
The child actress, sadly for me, was also very unlikable. I did not care for how she was written at all. But that's the risk of having child characters and actors or so they say. They run the risk of being annoying. But in rare cases a child actor can save the film by being extremely likable and cute. Sadly, Simone Baker's character was not cute enough for me.
The good of this movie though, is the two brothers story. (Eli and Daniel).
I think the movie would have been fine without the little black girl's story attached to it (especially since the script chose not to go that certain route that I feel would have completely warranted her story being intertwined with theirs).
The scenes between the brothers, especially Eli trying to keep his dad's store open, were great. As was their conversations and interactions with Mr. Kim (the liquor store owner).
Those were powerful scenes! My favorites were when Mr. Kim picked up Daniel and when he had that hearbreaking conversation with Eli about the two brothers' dad and how Mr. Kim and their dad came to the USA to make sure the younger generation could have a good life.
The actor who played Keith, Curtiss Cook Jr, was really good. His character had a powerful story, too. Being one who lost his mother and actually took it upon himself to step up and take care of his younger siblings. Sadly, his story feels out of place when it comes to the fact that the script (once again) decided not to connect these characters in a way that would justify their connection and warrant his side of the story being told of why he loots the brothers during the riots and why he wants to burn down their store.
All in all, I think this story would have been better off being focused just on Eli and Daniel and their experiences with the LA Riots. Instead of adding the little black girl. Especially since the movie chose not to connect the characters through a historical reason of why black people targeted korean businesses (because of a korean business owner, leading up to the Rodney King trial, killed a unarmed black girl).
6/10 for me!
I was only disappointed that the script chose to not go a certain way when it came to how the black and asian main characters were connected.
I think if Kamilla's (played by Simone Baker) mom had been killed by Eli and Samuel's dad, then that would have been more powerful.
It would explain why Eli and Daniel felt obligated to watch out for Kamilla. And why Kamilla's brother Keith, was so passionate in forbidding her from going to their store.
It would also have tied in to why so many african americans attacked korean american businesses during the riots. Because of a korean business owner killing a unarmed african american (the Latasha Harlins incident) and getting away with it. Much like how the cops got away with brutally beating Rodney King.
I feel like this was a missed opportunity and subtracted a lot of weight from the drama of the film.
The child actress, sadly for me, was also very unlikable. I did not care for how she was written at all. But that's the risk of having child characters and actors or so they say. They run the risk of being annoying. But in rare cases a child actor can save the film by being extremely likable and cute. Sadly, Simone Baker's character was not cute enough for me.
The good of this movie though, is the two brothers story. (Eli and Daniel).
I think the movie would have been fine without the little black girl's story attached to it (especially since the script chose not to go that certain route that I feel would have completely warranted her story being intertwined with theirs).
The scenes between the brothers, especially Eli trying to keep his dad's store open, were great. As was their conversations and interactions with Mr. Kim (the liquor store owner).
Those were powerful scenes! My favorites were when Mr. Kim picked up Daniel and when he had that hearbreaking conversation with Eli about the two brothers' dad and how Mr. Kim and their dad came to the USA to make sure the younger generation could have a good life.
The actor who played Keith, Curtiss Cook Jr, was really good. His character had a powerful story, too. Being one who lost his mother and actually took it upon himself to step up and take care of his younger siblings. Sadly, his story feels out of place when it comes to the fact that the script (once again) decided not to connect these characters in a way that would justify their connection and warrant his side of the story being told of why he loots the brothers during the riots and why he wants to burn down their store.
All in all, I think this story would have been better off being focused just on Eli and Daniel and their experiences with the LA Riots. Instead of adding the little black girl. Especially since the movie chose not to connect the characters through a historical reason of why black people targeted korean businesses (because of a korean business owner, leading up to the Rodney King trial, killed a unarmed black girl).
6/10 for me!
