First-time filmmaker Michael Kang's marvelously assured feature debut is a subtle adaptation of Ed Lin's acclaimed novel
Waylaid. Chubby, 13-year-old Chinese-American Ernest Chin (Jeffrey Chyau) lives in his immigrant mother's slightly seedy rural motel with kid sister Katie (Alexis Chang) and their elderly grandfather, Gung Gung (Stephen Chen). Ahma (Jade Wu), Ernest's mom, rents out rooms by the week, the day or — as is often the case — the hour, and as far as Ernest is concerned, he's in hell. Each day after school, he cleans up after the transients who temporarily call the motel home and the local prostitutes who tryst with their johns in the grimy rooms. ...
Released:
2006
Rated:
NR
Length:
76 mins