Customer Reviews

The Motel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie is about an Asian-American adolescent and his younger sibling living a frugal existence in a seedy motel run by his mother. His life isn't so pretty in the presence of lowlifes, soiled sheets, and puberty, but he gets by. The boy and a sketchy drunkard (one of the motel's occupants) form a tentative friendship. The drunk becomes a sort of mentor while he vicariously confronts some problems in his own life. It's gritty, true-to-life, and funny. If you like simple, poignant portraits of American life this film is for you.

Don't expect "Mr. Miyagi" to turn up in this movie. If you're looking for Zen Buddhism, Anime schoolgirls, or just another silly martial arts-exploitation film, just back slowly away...

"The Motel" is, at once, totally familiar and shockingly different. Its concept and themes relate to every coming-of-age film you've ever seen. This low budget feature doesn't wrestle with any significant issues, it just presents a brief moment in time where its young protagonist begins to move away from childhood and assert his individuality. The observations are small, the plot is slight, and most of the scenarios are commonplace. But that doesn't mean this film lacks charm and originality. For what is unique about "The Motel" is its environment. Set in a seedy and dilapidated motel run by a Chinese American family, the film explores a rare topic--not just coming-of age in terms of manhood, but asserting yourself in America against the traditions of your family culture.

The film follows Ernest Chin, an awkward 13 year old, who faces normal pubescent dilemmas. He is pestered by a local bully, is secretly in love with his best girlfriend, and is starting to explore his sexual nature. Through it all, he is expected to work cleaning rooms at the motel nonstop and his family doesn't support his academic and artistic interests--he has won an honorable mention in a writing contest (not even good enough to lose)! When a young Korean man (Sung Kang) checks into the motel, Ernest is fascinated. Hip and attractive, hard partying and successful with women--this childlike adult intrigues Ernest. But it soon becomes clear that Kang is, also, a bit of a wreck--and he forms a relationship with Ernest because he needs someone to connect with, someone who will look up to him. This relationship is, by far, the most dynamic element within "The Motel." In fact, the rest of the picture pales in comparison to the energetic interplay whenever Kang is on the screen.

There are some small, but not unexpected, revelations in "The Motel." It is a slight and enjoyable story. Jeffrey Chyau, as Ernest, is likable but can render certain line readings quite flat. He does carry the story, however, and I suspect most will find him somewhat engaging. To me, Kang gives a superlative performance in the film's most difficult role. You'll like him, hate him, pity him, and completely understand Ernest's fascination with this complicated loser. It is a star-making, revelatory performance and I hope to see a lot more from Kang.

I did enjoy "The Motel," for me it was about 3 1/2 stars. It can be pleasant and humorous, but it is so modest in scope that it's not likely to linger. I definitely look forward to director Michael Kang's next project--he's a talent with a distinct point of view. KGHarris, 02/07.

The movie is not rated. It would be an R with the brief nudity, sexual situations, and occasional bad language (MF bomb). The movie starts out on a light note with 13 year old Ernest eating an egg roll sitting on a dumpster outside a Chinese restaurant. He is smitten by a 15 year old girl working at the restaurant with whom he shares life and growing up experiences. Ernest is in love, while the girl (Christine) doesn't hold the same feelings. (Such is life.) There are some funny scenes and others that make you feel awkward. (Spoiler) The best acting scene was at the very end when he comes face to face with his mother. There is no conversation, just a look of understanding on both their faces. This would have been a great turning point for the film, but alas it ends here. Made me hungry for more. Has anyone else ever eaten 3 day old Popeye's chicken they found left behind in a Motel room?

If your desire in watching The Motel is to stare in at someone else's life, or re-affirm your faith in the ultimate goodness of life, then choose another film.

If, on the other hand, you thrive on being shaken, disturbed, cut into pieces that you have to re-assemble following the film, then you will respect and
nurture yourself by viewing The Motel.

The hero--or anti-hero--of the film, Ernest, experiences attacks on his germinating self from his raw mom, his would-be teen paramour (she scowls
and laughs when he envisions them married), his past-ridden grandfather, his jock teen neighbor, and even his met-by-chance guide through puberty.

Specifically, he endures slaps across the face from his mom; tales of being duped by fake contests from his grandfather; wrestling defeats from his
girlfriend; and being cornered by his puberty guide into smashing him with a baseball bat so that he will leave the motel Ernest's mother operates.

It's healthily unsettling, and shakes you for a reason: to re-assemble a stronger, more seasoned human being.

If that's on your to-do list, then give yourself the 1 hour and 20 minutes to allow the film to seep into you.

You'll never regret it.

Jeffrey Chyau is great in this film - he is the perfect embodiment of the character of Ernest. This film explores the angst and trials of being a teenager with empathy and poignancy and regular doses of comedy. Sung Kang, as Sam Kim, gives a strong performance to drive the plot forward and does a great job at being the 'anti-hero'.

The Motel is like a successful blind date: the conversation is not terribly interesting or engaging, but the banter is pleasant and non-offensive; the food isn't gourmet or great but the serving sizes are adequate and no one leaves hungry. At the end of this movie you will feel that you didn't waste your time, but you might not want to pursue it.

Actually, for a small budgeted indie film, this one does earn some points. The acting is superlative, the setting (a seedy motel that rents rooms by the hour) is genuine and the cinematography is honest. But the story doesnt go anywhere and creates little visceral response.

It is a 3 1/2 stars film-- 4 stars if you can identify with the Chinese-American, cultural coming of age theme.

I've seen this movie in my school as a part of an Asian Club event, Michael Kang, the director of the movie came to my school to talk a bit about his movie. Being an asian american kid myself, my parents had to work endless jobs to get their kids a good future, of course, we also had to help work for them too. I definitely would recommend this not only because it is a sneak peek to a life that is rarely told, but it also is about growing up and that sometimes the "bad influences" may end up being the good ones.

If you are a fan of Sung Kang's and not sure if you should buy this movie or not, trust me. It is a really good buy. You won't regret. I like all of the characters in this movie. Very attractive and no fake feeling.

This is a quirky, charming and irreverent indy film that stars Jeffrey Chyau as Ernest Chinn a 13 year old Chinese-American boy whose family runs a seedy motel where he works the night shift. It has the feel of one of my old old cult favorites TELL ME THAT YOU LOVE ME JUNIE MOON...with a bit of Weekend at Bernie's tossed in and a bit of American Graffiti on the dark side. Can you imagine coming of age where sex and drugs and the bizarre are the rule rather than the random occurance. Chyau is amazing, stoic yet poignant, awkward yet wise beyond his years. Befriended by a Korean fast Eddie type dude crashing at his parents motel, he gets the first feelings of having a big brother or father yet that whiff is complex and unstable like the rest of his life. Chin proves that puberty sucks at any age and place. This film won the humanitarian prize at Sundance and it is humanity at its best and its worse. Why is it so hard to grow up? Chyau is a stubby chubby kid and that adds to the challenge especially today when so many kids are overweight and often overlooked by busy parents. Samantha Futerman (Memoirs of a Geisha) brings a sweetness to 15 year old Christine who is Chinn's first girlfriend or at least he yearns for her to be. The DVD includes cast audition tapes, behind the scenes featurettes and deleted scenes. It's a rainy day kind of movie in mood.

The Motel is a coming of age story which tells the story of Ernest Chin, a thirteen year old boy living and working at his family's motel. It is clear he is interested in his fifteen year old friend, Christine, but she seems to treat him as a younger brother. Ernest is trapped in his life (as one would expect from barely a teenager). Ernest is just going into puberty and he is in a very awkward phase. Sam Kin is a drifter of sorts who checks into the motel and somehow befriends Ernest and tries to mentor the boy, though in a unconventional sort of way.

The Motel is a very low key movie, filled with humor, nostalgia, and sadness, but it is surprisingly good and moving. Ernest is so awkward that we root for him to get something going in his life but understand why it is difficult for him. This understated movie is well done and at a 80 minute run time, is worth the small time investment to see a different sort of coming of age movie. There is nothing flashy here, but a decent movie which we do not see presented quite like this on the big screen.

Note to parents: With the coming of age nature, there are some sexual situations and nudity...none of it with the children, but it is in the movie. Some language, too.

-Joe Sherry