Michael Kang's The Motel

The Motel is a coming of age film about a young Asian boy being raised in a sleazy motel. At first the film feels standard. It is in no way bad but does not seem to be unique or excel in any particular way. As we become more familiar with awkward Ernest and the Motel itself we get that feeling of involvement that great story's all share. Its not perfect, but its funny, insightful and dramatic in a very sound and whole way.

The motel revolves around a young Chinese boy Ernest stuck right in the drama of puberty. Ernest lives with his overbearing old world mother, his annoying little sister and his zombie like grandfather. A twenty something man named Sam eventually comes to the motel and tries to fill that missing father figure spot in Ernest's life. Ernest is a complex character who stops being funny to laugh at and starts being someone you sympathize with.

This film has two main thematic threads that intertwine really well. First its the story of a young boy going through puberty and trying to find his place in the world. Second its the story of a young Asian American and how he fits into American Society. This added depth really sets the film apart moving it from good to great.

The comedy in this film functions really well. It serves to keep you entertained but also to make the dramatic scenes more piercing and heartfelt .When Sam warns Ernest about how a Chinese girl will never date him because they are only trying to get away from people like us, and it hurts because Sam is usually so funny.

Acting for me is all about the disappearance of the actor. When i watch a film I don't want to think that this is a person reading lines but is a person actually going through whatever situation is at hand. Almost all of the performances in The Motel are good save for a few forced lines here and there. The stand out performance is by Sung Kang as Sam the prostitute loving father figure. His character functions as both comedic and insightful, whimsical and depressing and it takes talent to pull off such a detailed character.

The motel really has things going for it. It is funny, layered, and genuinely dramatic. If it weren't for a few scenes of forced acting this one would have got a five from me.

4/5 "A great first film of adolescent confusion. A director to watch."