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Better Luck Tomorrow
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Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) More at IMDbPro »

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Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) -- A group of over-achieving Asian-American high school seniors enjoy a power trip when they dip into extra-curricular criminal activities.
Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) -- A group of over-achieving Asian-American high school seniors enjoy a power trip when they dip into extra-curricular criminal activities.
Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) -- A group of over-achieving Asian-American high school seniors enjoy a power trip when they dip into extra-curricular criminal activities.
Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) -- A group of over-achieving Asian-American high school seniors enjoy a power trip when they dip into extra-curricular criminal activities.
Better Luck Tomorrow (2002) -- Sinematurk - Trailer (Flash)

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Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   5,726 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 13% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Ernesto Foronda (written by) &
Justin Lin (written by) ...
more
Contact:
View company contact information for Better Luck Tomorrow on IMDbPro.
Genre:
Tagline:
Never underestimate an overachiever. more
Plot:
A group of over-achieving Asian-American high school seniors enjoy a power trip when they dip into extra-curricular criminal activities. full summary | add synopsis
Awards:
1 win & 2 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(16 articles)
Weekly DVD & Blu-Ray Chopping List 10/06/2009
 (From Fangoria. 3 October 2009, 11:06 PM, PDT)

Summit Hires Team To Reboot ‘Highlander’
 (From The Flickcast. 23 September 2009, 2:30 PM, PDT)

User Reviews:
What About the Girls? more (137 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Parry Shen ... Ben Manibag

Jason Tobin ... Virgil Hu
Shirley Anderson ... Hot Dog Planet Customer
Nanette Matoba ... Housewife
Kenji Matoba ... Toddler

Sung Kang ... Han
Ashley Arai ... Cheerleader
Danielle Conner ... Cheerleader
Karen DiTota ... Cheerleader
Smita Satiani ... Cheerleader
Kristen Stinson ... Cheerleader
Jeff DeJohn ... Ryan
Robert Zepeda ... Jock

Collin Kahey ... Jock
Christopher J. Francis ... Jock
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for violence, drug use, language and sexuality.
Runtime:
101 min | USA:98 min (2003 version)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Filming Locations:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Though not physically correct for any roles, producer/performer Anthony Begonia was encouraged to audition. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Right after Daric pistol whips the jock at the party, he raises his right arm and points the gun at the others. When the camera cuts to Virgil kicking the jock on the floor, you see Daric point the gun again; this time with his left hand. more
Quotes:
Stephanie Vandergosh: You know how you make decisions that lead to other decisions but you don't remember why you made those decisions in the first place. more
Movie Connections:
Soundtrack:
Eat with Your Eyes more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 11 people found the following review useful.
What About the Girls?, 12 April 2003
10/10
Author: Jane Liu from New York City

Just came back from a screening of this movie in NYC. Being Chinese American, I felt I could vicariously live through the characters' mishaps and adventures. I think this film is a manifestation of some unconscious fantasies I had during high school. Unfortunately, during high school I was too busy trying to land a spot in the incoming class of an Ivy League to think about power trips from petty crimes or even relieving the stress of perfectionism. Being female also dramatically reduced my access to the possibility for petty crimes and other risky experimentation. Chinese girls are raise to be good, dutiful daughters, who in turn become their own slave drivers feeding off of their need for perfectionism. Thanks to the oppressive histories of East Asian cultures, Asian parents brook no rebellion from girls. Girls are constantly taught that the slightest transgression will bring harsh criticism. And, having already fallen out of favor for not being born male, girls are dealt much harsher punishments than boys for rebellious behavior. The patriarchal adage "boys will be boys" resonates through Asian cultures with the accompanying implication that "girls must also be girls". Unfortunately, "Better Luck Tomorrow" makes no mention of the double standards imposed on Asian-American girls. It was disappointing to see the sole female actress become a pawn in the brokering of power between two high school boys.

The Asian girls in my high school who exhibited risky behavior were always sidelined by more daring male exploits. Essentially, female risky behavior amounted to wanton sex with men and occasional petty thievery. How little it differs from our non-Asian counterparts!

But if anything, at least this movie is not about kung fu fighting Chinese actors coupled with black or white male leads in movies like "Bulletproof Monk". Justin Lin's "Better Luck Tomorrow" aptly reminds the audience that Chow Young Fat, Jet Li, and Jacky Chan are not Asian-American men!

Criticisms aside, "Better Luck Tomorrow" is a clever film featuring some fine acting. The strengths and vulnerabilities of the Asian American boys are explored in a hitherto unprecedented way. Kudos to Jason Tobin for some fine acting!

Was the above review useful to you?
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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Better Luck Tomorrow (2002)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Robert Chan Laobao
Uhm, why did this receive a 7.2? ThatOneGuyFromIMDB
Still didn't understand the ending (spoilers) dxnguyen89
this movie sucked, nothing to do with stereotypes doodwithbooks
Some of the shots made me feel sick! stupid_mansuit
Collin Kahey is my Roommate nicholas_lee
more

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