Parry Shen, Jason Tobin, Sung Kang, Roger Fan
Critic's Choice
[STARS 1]
The first rule of high school is that if you're perceived as a good kid, you can get away with anything. No one ever asks to see your pass or permission slip. It is a rule that has been mastered by the quartet of Asian-American youths at the center of Better Luck Tomorrow, an impressive, in-your-face debut film by cowriter-director Justin Lin. Even while stealing, doing drugs and contemplating a far worse crime—mostly for thrills—the four earn high grades at a suburban California high school. (The film has already stirred debate in the Asian-American community for warping role models.)
As events spin out of control for the boys, so does the movie. But that's late in the film; up until then it shows smarts and style, a winning combination. As Ben, the most sympathetic of these delinquents, Shen has the open, guileless face of a choir boy. Watching him prove otherwise breaks your heart. (R)
BOTTOM LINE: A very bright Tomorrow
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