Teo Yoo – Cut To The Chase

Written & Directed By: Celine Song

Cinematography: Shabier Kirchner

Editor: Keith Fraase

Cast: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro

Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrested apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Twenty years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.

For a film that can be so romantic. It is ultimately a film about heartbreak.

The film has a cinematic beginning of what if. That ends up answering all the questions that the opening scene raises and gives the answers a lot more depth. It does give the film an initial memory that is replayed later, but it is also the only part of the film that feels a bit more pandering and conventional.

The film is a story that should be a two-hander. The films to will remind you of usually are such as the BEFORE trilogy (BEFORE SUNRISE, BEFORE SUNSET, BEFORE MIDNIGHT) and other romantic films such as SUMMERTIME, IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. That usually takes place in foreign locales. To paint a view of being a visitor or an outsider exploring the terrain or make the audience feel that way.

Here the film does take place in a few foreign locales but rarely explores them. As it is more interested in exploring the character’s motivations, emotions, and decisions.

Which is what works in its favor as it has its own vibe. While staying reminiscent of those other films. If it had followed suit it would have been fine. There are many ways to tell a story. Just make sure you tell it well and to the best of your ability.

These films are usually told through conversations. This film is similar but more is said by what the characters don’t say and through gazes, looks, body language, and actions. Films were a bit more common when I was younger and indie cinema was seen as the cream de la creme. Now these types of films are a rarity and it’s no wonder why such praise is heaped upon them.

This film takes place over time, over decades but mainly a few days in their lives, And while it is a small story. It is an emotional minefield that stays subdued but feels bigger than it is letting on. Ultimately it involves fate and the future, but the past is important as it gives the modern definition.

The film shows the grace and beauty of Greta Lee in a star-making lead performance. Showing her great range as I primarily remember her from the movie SISTERS, where she played a more comedic over-the-top role. Here you can’t help but fall for her. You see what the other characters surrounding her see.

This is a film where it’s relatable to the audience. As it is about that person who got away and wonders what could have been. It also might remind people of that special friend they grew up with and not only what happened to them, but why they never really got together.

Everything through the film has a subtlety but is devastating. It feels like a testament to things never truly said or spoken. As the characters dance around, just to get to the heart of the matter and moments.

Grade: A-

Written & Directed By: Benson Lee Cinematography: Daniel Katz Editor: Steve M. Choe

Cast: Justin Chon, Jessika Van, In-Pyo Cha, Teo Yoo, Esteban Ahn, Rosalina Leigh, Albert Kong, Hee Jun Han, Crystal Kay, Nekhebet Kum Juch

During the 1980s, the Korean government created a special summer camp for “gyopo” or foreign-born teenagers where they could spend their summer in Seoul to learn about their motherland. While the intentions of the program were honorable, the activities of the teens were not. The program was eventually canceled after a few years because the government simply could not control the youth. Seoul Searching is a teen comedy and coming of age film, based on a true story about one of the summer camps that took place in 1986.

While this is a fun nostalgic coming-of-age movie exploring the usual themes of finding oneself and their own identities. While growing up. This film is also about culture and trying to find it. As you are misplaced. As first-generation Americans coming to grips with your heritage and history. While managing to be both.

The film would be admirable if it could have stayed on that path and for the most part it does m. As a kind of John Hughes homage as most of the characters learn something and prove to be more than the cultural identities they came with.

Most characters seem lost between their American-style selves and who they are supposed to be back in their home countries.

Then the film runs into a similar problem John Hughes was called on later in His career. Having little to no minorities in his films and the few he did playing into stereotypes and caricatures in his films. Notoriously long duk dong in SIXTEEN CANDLES and just like that film this one would have been near perfect if not for some unfortunate stereotyping.

This is interesting considering that this is a film that is about a foreign culture but liberally uses the n-word and other derogatory names for dark-skinned characters and a group of characters who have chosen to identify with rappers and hip hop. Who is more played for laughs.

As the film is set in the 1980s some of the defense might be. Oh it was a different time, but still, the one mixed character not only barely gets any screen time but when she does she is treated at first as beautiful than as a bitch and disposable.

The rapper wannabes are the ones mostly using the n-word, but their characters are treated as buffoons and comic relief. They are the few characters who get no dramatic epiphany and are gone before they can wear out their welcome. Meanwhile, the sexist, Racist good ole boy character who uses mostly racially charged derogatory terms amongst other bad behavior gets a chance to explain himself and get the audience to have sympathy for him. Which still runs the audience the wrong way. If not for that this film could be a total success, instead of wallowing in The same problems as the films that inspired it.

As it has an original cultural story. An ensemble cast who each get character arcs and times to shine. Romance and even a mentor figure in their chaperone and teacher who has his own dark secrets and a drinking problem.

It’s a worthwhile film if not for some dark clouds around it. As it does expose the audience to the culture and price of history they might not have known and gives a lesson for teenagers and foreign characters to identify with.

GRADE: B-

Tag: Teo Yoo

PAST LIVES (2023)

SEOUL SEARCHING (2015)