Customer Reviews

Take Out

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw this in New York when it opened in June. My girlfriend dragged me. I wanted to see see another movie instead. But it turned out to be a good move for me to see this because the film is well done and very interesting. The acting seems so real it's almost not even like a "movie" but a glimpse into someone's real life. I dug it - it made me really think about that guy's life. Who knew?

Many parts had me on the edge of my seat. It had me when he had to race against time to raise the money. I love race against time sequences in a movie. I will think twice now when i tip the delivery man.

I'm buying this.

TAKE OUT is great story-telling in a socially and aesthetically principled style. Shot in a way that keeps us grounded in real lives, TAKE OUT gives us a complex view of one day in the life of a non-documented immigrant trying to make money in NY city delivering take out food. As one would expect, it does a powerful job insisting on the full human-ness of the immigrants in the story. One wishes that every anti-immigrant politician would have to watch and participate in a public discussion of this film -- along with several other important recent films about the lives of immigrants in the US now. TAKE OUT is a lasting piece of art and social commentary.

Watching this film, you can see how the directors spent a tremendous amount of time and effort to portray every aspect of the characters lives authentically, from their interactions with each other during work to their down time. Ming Ding may not talking so much about what he's experiencing, but trust me, you feel it. Strongly recommended.

This verite style study of a Chinese food deliveryman's desperate rush to earn $800 to
pay off the loan sharks that helped pay his way to the US has a nifty sense of almost
documentary realism. The acting is very real and understated (by a cast of both
actors and non-pros), and the tension level is high.

But while I liked and respected the film I didn't have quite as strong a positive
reaction as most critics for a few reasons;

First, while avoiding movie clichés for the most part, a couple of key plot twists are
broadcast a mile off, dampening their impact. Also, by making his lead character such
a cipher (he not only doesn't speak English, but is inward and withdrawn even among
his fellow Chinese), that it's hard to build up a connection with him. Yes, we can pity
his plight, but I wanted to understand what was going on in his head. Also, the
"shaky-cam" shooting style occasionally called more attention to itself then I think
it was intended to. I love hand held film making, but (for me) I don't want it to be so loose
I find myself thinking about it as a technical aspect while I'm trying to get lost in the film.

Overall it reminded me of a slightly less poetic, less rich variation on Ramin Bahrani's
masterful "Man Push Cart". None-the-less, an intelligent, well-meaning micro budget
film (it looks like it was shot on regular definition video), and good enough that I'd be
willing to go back for another look.

I saw this movie around the same time I saw "Nobody Knows" and was already sufficiently depressed. Overall, I really enjoyed Take Out. It feels like a documentary, very realistic and almost tedious in the details of this one day in the life of a Chinese food delivery guy.

I will say, make sure you have some good takeout Chinese to go with this. No movie could possibly make you hungrier!

Most of the scenes take place in a place similar to those Tops China or China Star kind of Chinese takeout you see everrryyywhere..the ones with the exact same plastic photos of each dish over the counter, no real seating, just a few folks cooking in the back. It also takes you into the life of a delivery person, who are probably being underpaid and under tipped. This poor man has to deliver in New York, in the rain, on his crummy bike. He owes money to basically a loan shark and is just hoping to make enough 'today' to cover his payment.

This movie is not pretty, not a feel-good movie, but it's so realistic. I enjoyed it. it's different in a good way. Give it a try. It will make you notice some of the more overlooked people around you and teach you that everyone, everyone has issues, a life, a history.

Sean Baker really shows how far he can extend his dollar in this micro budget film by pulling out an elaborate and heartfelt movie out of almost nothing.

The movie was a gritty portrayal of a world that is in our face every day, but we never really see. It shows the hardships faced by many illegal immigrants struggling for a better life in America.

I would highly recommend this movie.

As a lifelong New Yorker who is familiar with so many of the aspects of such a film, I was very interested (and skeptical) about how accurate, and ultimately moving, Take Out would be. By the end of my first viewing, I was so blown away by both its accuracy and emotional effectiveness that I had to get the dvd. The more I watch it, the clearer it becomes at how subtly and masterfully the story was molded. Certain scenes especially impressed me as I realized, while watching it a 2nd, 3rd time, they were deliberately painted and unfolded in certain ways, both to show the "real" side of working in a typical take-out joint (along with the broad spectrum of New Yorkers they visit/serve) and also the sense of humanity in characters such as him. I highly, highly recommend it, indie filmwork at its truest!

I've watched Take Out twice now and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a raw and authentic film. It's one of those rare movies that makes you feel like you are given a voyeuristic glimpse into the real lives of its characters. The film's main character ("Ding Ming", played by Charles Jang, a Korean actor who speaks a very convincing Chinese) and the supporting cast do an excellent job of infusing realism, humility, and a surprising degree of humor in an otherwise serious portrayal of a little known and under-appreciated part of our society. Movies like this deserve more publicity and attention.

TAKE OUT is real and powerful story of an immigrant trying to survive in New York City. It is eye-opening, provides incredible prospective and left me thinking about life in a different way. The directors and cast did a great job of portraying Ming Ding, the main character, and those around him in a genuine manner.

I first saw this film at one of the Chelsea theaters (NYC). It was a terrific movie from beginning to end. I heard that the guy who plays Ming is actually Korean, so to see this person speak Mandarin from start to finish with nary an accent was quite impressive (I'm Chinese and fluent in the dialect).
Anyway, the whole story was incredibly realistic; the actors did a really good job in their portrayal of Chinese immigrants and the life they endure in the big city. And I found myself rooting for Ming the whole time. If you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend this film!