Korean-American filmmaker Justin Chon writes/directs and plays the lead, a tattoo artist who lives in the Louisiana bayou with his wife (Alicia Vikander) and her small daughter (Sydney Kowalske). Even though he was adopted at age 3 and has been in the States for 30 years, an outdated law denying citizenship results in the threat of his deportation. This is def a message film (including deportation stats in the closing credits) and the script sometimes wanders from focus, but the performances are outstanding. Kowalske is exceptionally charming and moving, especially in the devastating final scene. Director Chon likes the indie style with busy hand-held cameras right up in the face, focusing on the acting talent. The family’s situation is complex without an easy solution, which gives the film extra heft, but the performances make the film worthwhile.
(4 / 5)