Customer Reviews

Ethan Mao

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Quentin Lee is to be congratulated for taking on several controversial issues and blending them into a novel story that works on many levels. While many writers and directors of Indie gay films focus on the downtrodden, bleak, tragic aspect of young gay lads coming to grips with their lives, few have presented stories that emphasize an element of redemption based on courage to change those things that can be changed.

Ethan Mao (Jun Hee Lee) is an 18-year-old Chinese American boy who has been working (gratis) for his father Abe (Raymond Ma) all his life in their Chinese restaurant. One evening at closing time a young man enters the negligently unlocked door and robs Ethan's cash register at gunpoint. Abe enters form the back of the restaurant and kills the robber, much to Ethan's chagrin. This results in an angry confrontation (one of many in an Asian family where the children are supposed to always obey the parents). Ethan is still mourning the loss of his mother and loathes his stepmother Sarah (Julia Nickson-Soul), a would-be actress who married Abe for money, bringing along her own son Josh (Kevin Kleinberg), a bright young man of obvious mixed genetic pool. Ethan also has a younger brother Noel (David Tran) with whom he has a warm and strong bond. Sarah discovers a gay magazine in Ethan's room, shares this with Abe, and Abe throws Ethan out of his home for being gay and shaming his family.

Ethan, bitter, homeless and without money, begins a life a street hustler, accepting his passive sexual role with older johns as a means of income. Serendipitously he meets Remigio (Jerry Hernandez), a fellow hustler and minor drug dealer who understands the life of an orphan's loneliness, and befriends Ethan and offers him shelter and affection. Ethan decides to return to his home on Thanksgiving (knowing that his family always goes out of town on that day) to take his belongings and get some cash. Remigio accompanies him and what begins as a simple entry into Ethan's empty home results in disaster as his family returns for a forgotten gift. Ethan rages against them and decides to hold them hostage until morning when Abe can send Sarah to the bank to retrieve Ethan's mother's necklace - the only memento he has of her. The crux of the story is how this tangled 'family' comes to different levels of understanding under duress and how Ethan (through this dream vs reality incident) arrives at forgiveness and finds love with the ever-supportive Remigio.

The acting is mixed but the cast engages us and allows each chracter to morph into something better than we expect. Both Jun Hee Lee and Jerry Hernandez bring credibility to their roles and the result is a palpable relationship which touches the viewers' hearts. While there are rough spots in camera work, in script, and in production, this is a strong little Indie film with a lot to say, dealing with positive images and debunking old prejudicial thoughts about sectors of society miscegenating into the fabric that makes our population more tolerant. Grady Harp, September 05

Remember Edmund White's classic gay novel "A Boy's Own Story"? This is definitely "An Asian Boy's Own Story" for a queer Asian boy like me.

I've heard quite a lot about the film since its premiere at the AFI Film Festival but never gotten a chance to see it until its very short theatrical release in L.A. I literally caught the last showing of the film, and I was very touched by it.

First off, there have not really been a feature made by, about and for gay Asian Americans. "Ethan Mao" is pioneering in that way. Really it is the first gay Asian American feature, discounting those about Asians or Asian immigrants like "The Wedding Banquet."

What I love about "Ethan Mao" is that it's a rebel story which everyone would identify with. It's a story about a rebel coming to terms with his family through a very radical perspective. At the same time, it's also a poignant coming-of-age story about a queer Asian boy.

Loved it.

As one of the other reviews was so scathing in its contempt for this "bad, bad" movie, I nearly did not buy it. In the end I decided to waste my money anyway - and do not regret a single cent of it. This is a good movie and the viewer is soon drawn to the two main characters. You want them to make it through, but you know they won't. The odds are all against them - or are they? It's indy, it's low budget, it has a cast of unknowns (at least, to Europeans). None of that matters; it's a jewel dropped in the gutter and it shines through. Good work from the whole cast, but especially from Jun Lee, Jerry Hernandez and David Tran.

Well I watched Ethan Mao yesterday, and I thought that it was an awesome movie. The plot was really good, and the acting was really good. For an indie film it was excellent. It really appealed to me because the main character is an Gay Asian American young man. Now I can't relate to certain parts, but there are parts that I think that everyone can relate to. It's a story about friendship, family, and love. It's more of a story with a main character who just happens to be gay, rather than a gay main character, who happens to be in a movie.

The story is about Ethan Mao. Ethan gets thrown out of his house for being gay, and is forced to live in the streets. On the streets, he meets Remigio. The two begin a friendship, there is no sex, which is refreshing. On Thanksgiving, Ethan and Remigio go to Ethan's parent's house to pick up some stuff. Through a few events, Ethan's family returns home early, and they are taken hostage. Through the course of the night many thing happen. I don't want to ruin the movie for you.

The story and characters are very compelling. I'm happy to see not only Asian Americans portrayed as something more than a stereotype, but to see Gay Americans portrayed as something other than a stereotye as well. All the characters in the movie are well rounded. There is something for everyone to identify with. The movie appeals to all types of audiences, not just Asian or Gay audiences.

Well that's my take on the movie. I definitely give it 2 thumbs up.

I just saw ETHAN MAO at Laemmle's Fairfax this past weekend and thought it was an amazing movie. For young queer teenagers of color, we rarely get to see ourselves on the screen. Beyond representation, the movie is uncompromising in a way to present a bold vision that shatters the typical boring representation of ethnic minorities.

ETHAN MAO is a call to arms... to all gay teenagers... be a rebel and stand up against those who oppress you!

And both Jun Hee Lee and Jerry Hernandez are hot. Jun Hee Lee has already been cast in the upcoming AMERICAN PIE sequel. ETHAN MAO is hot fresh and queer... so beware!

I attended the world premier of Ethan Mao in San Francisco during the 2005 Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. The movie received a long ovation, which was well deserved. Afterward the director and two leading actors were most gracious in answering questions from the audience. Gerry Hernandez, who portrays Remigio, is half Guatemalan and half Filipino, so the actors and director are all of Asian heritage. I have no idea what the previous writer is referring to with his rant that borders on a detachment from reality. Aside from the very believable plot, my Asian friends say the tensions and interactions in Ethan Mao between immigrant Chinese parents and an American-born gay son are quite accurate. I intend to purchase the DVD as soon as it's released.

Everyone, just once in their life has probably had fantasies of pistol whipping or perhaps even punching out at least one member of their family, but the embattled title character Ethan Mao, in maverick director, Quentin Lee's saga of Asian American gay dysfunctional angst gets to do this and so much more.

A whole film about holding your family to ransom by gunpoint may not immediately strike viewers as the stuff of a great story, and may even be a little bit much for most, but Lee manages for the most part to hold this film together, delivering up a tight, taught, if not terribly low budget package that mixes elements of the psychological thriller, coming-of-age drama, gay love story, and even black comedy.

Ethan Mao is certainly overly ambitious in its themes and crude in its execution, but there's a gritty and solemn earnestness to this movie, that lifts it above the usual dramas of teenage angst. What makes this movie worth viewing and so involving, and perhaps also so groundbreaking, is that it depicts a modern, urban gay Asian-American teen, which is something that to my knowledge is very rare in film.

The story takes off when the title character Ethan Mao (Jun Hee Lee) has just been kicked out of his home after Abraham, his father (Raymond Ma) discovered his stash of gay porn. His family is reasonably wealthy having worked hard over the years, now they're the epitome of the immigrant success story. But Ethan's father has made the fatal mistake of putting money before the love of his family. Now his days are spent catering to Ethan's gangly younger brother Noel (David Tran), a bullying and spoilt stepson Josh (Kevin Kleinberg), and Sarah, his slinky, narcissistic, ex-actress wife (Julia Nickson).

Obviously being gay doesn't sit well with Mr. Mao, so Ethan is promptly ejected from the family and immediately - without exploring any other options - adopts the life of a homeless hustler, eventually meeting Remigio (Jerry Hernandez), who also works the streets. The pair develops a fierce friendship based on love, trust, and loyalty. Remigio feeds Ethan, gives him a home and surprisingly keeps his hands to himself. Ethan, for his part has a lack of affect, which presumably signals an emotional numbness.

Ethan enlists Remigio's help to return to his home to pick up his belongings as well as a necklace belonging to his dead mother, but his family, who are supposed to be on a Thanksgiving outing, come home. A vicious argument ensues, with the two young men holding the group hostage until the necklace can be retrieved from a safe-deposit box the next day.

From here, the film mushrooms into an unlikely hostage melodrama, complete with guns, uneasy family dysfunction, along with lots of emotional recriminations. Josh, the stepbrother hates Ethan, and Ethan hates Sarah, the stepmother, while M. Mao remains appalled at what his son is doing, but at the same time begins to regret the way he's treated Ethan, and the rest of his family.

As the hours progress, Ethan begins to enjoy his newfound power and uses it to tell everyone in the family, especially his uptight and highly traditional dad, exactly what he thinks of them and how he feels he's been mistreated. Meanwhile, Remigio looks on, remaining a silent, and somewhat reluctant witness to the proceedings, and a loyal friend to Ethan.

Ethan Mao is clearly heartfelt and sincere- and an early robbery scene is particularly strong - but ultimately a facile script hampers the film, along with its low production values and its bargain basement, C-grade acting. It is also essential that the viewer feel some sympathy for Ethan, but his decision to freely participate in the hustler lifestyle, when you know a boy as bright as he could do something else, makes it hard for us to really root for him. Ultimately, he comes across as a bit bratty, spoiled, and sad; he should learn to lighten up a little, even if he does have a mean father and a wicked stepmother.

Despite Ethan Mao's obvious shortcomings, the film has an intensity and fervor that is impossible not to like. The film also works as an offbeat tale of love and friendship; Ethan and Remigio, through no fault of their own, have become a couple of devoted urban hustler outlaws. Thank goodness though, that we are subjected to only one of Ethan's elderly and flabby customers. Mike Leonard November 05.

I saw ETHAN MAO when it played at the Moving Pictures film festival and I was wowed by it. It was unfortunate that the screening was small but appreciative. From all the Asian North American films I've seen, ETHAN MAO is definitely one of the most culturally significant ones because it is both well made, intellingent, groundbreaking and disrespectful. It illuminates the intersection of gender, sexuality and ethnity like no other movies have done.

Trust me, this film will be one of those films that we'll study, apperciate and think about for years.

Ethan Mao is a riveting and wonderful story in many ways. The people who dislike this story probably have never been out of the mainstream straight society. This movie is about how even in a well-to-do family, that you can become isolated, segregated, and even kicked out of the only family and way of life you have ever known, if you happen to be gay. This movie shows how fragile life really is. It also shows how vulnerable and confusing a teenagers life can be, especially a gay teenager. At one point, Ethan even tries to commit suicide.{Which isn't a stretch considering that 30% of all teenage suicides are those of gay teens. Also according to the department of health, gay men are 6 more times likely to commit suicide than their straight counterparts.) If you have a teenager who may be gay, they need you a lot more than your other kids. Reach out to them, guide them, teach them how to live a happy, productive life surrounded by people they love, and most importantly; love them before its too late.

The part in this movie that made Ethan a hero to me was when he was confronted by his father on his homosexuality, he did'nt lie about it. Being in the closet most of my life, I always felt I had to lie about my sexual orientation lest I be sent to military school so they can make a "man out of me." It's terrible to have to live your life a lie and I have suffered self-isolation and depression because of it. Ethan told his father that was a part of him so his father kicked him out of the house and family. Ethan basically had the choice to lie, or to become a street hustler without a pot to piss in. He courageously chose the later.

I think a parent has an inherent duty to love all their children. And I feel that because there is so much backlash from being gay, their gay children need a little more understanding , sensitivity and compassion than their straight kids would. I also feel that as a step-parent, you have a duty to love your new spouses children, in the least, as you would a good, and dear friend. Hopefully one day, they will become just that.

The love story in this movie was just that. It was actually a pure, innocent, self sacrificing love that all people gay or straight should strive for. Ethan meets Remigio on the streets and he is able to melt Ethan's tough exterior to become his friend, protector,mentor, and his one true love.

I thought the acting was superb on all accounts, but especially the acting of Jun Hee Lee was particularly stellar. In the beginning he is like any normal teen exploring their sexuality. When he is abandoned by his father you feel his pain. When you realize that he has worked in his fathers restaurant for free to support his cruel step-mothers selfish lifestyle you feel his rage. When you see his step-mother continue to mock,torment, and stab him in the back, a lesser person would probably just blow her head off. But deep in his heart Ethan is gentle, sweet, and vulnerable kid and your heart goes out to him because what is in his heart is pure and you know he just wants his father to accept and love him. Jun Hee Lee portays all of these emotions sensitively and believably. This is a movie in which the "criminal " is actually the hero. Believe me, you will be rooting for Ethan all the way!

I agree with most of the plot synopsis' that have been given by the favorable reviewers and also agree with a lot of their opinions. But I do feel that the acting was great, and that the production values gave a realistic vibe to the movie. Loved the music too.

I've been following Quentin Lee's works keenly since his first feature "Shopping for Fangs." Being Mr. Lee's most accomplished and daring feature to date, "Ethan Mao" is certainly a gem to be discovered for those with an adventurous mind.

By "adventurous" I mean not just in the subject matter but also in the viewing experience itself. What slips by most conventional critics with a lack of education in cultural or literary criticism is that Mr. Lee's films challenge our convention of viewing films by pitting mainstream narrative conventions and genres against each other. The result is often is original, unexpected and risky.

I highly recommend "Ethan Mao" for those interested in independent filmmaking, experimental films and queer filmmaking.