TAKE OUT GIRL
(DRAMA/CRIME/THRILLER)
WRITTEN BY HEDY WONG, DIRECTED BY HISSONI MUSTAFA (AS HISSONI JOHNSON)
STARRING HEDY WONG, SKI CARR, LYNNA LEE, AND J. TEDDY GARCES
SYNOPSIS: To give her family a chance at a better life and save her family's failing restaurant, Tera Wong, a desperate 20-year-old Asian girl, parlays her Chinese food delivery expertise into a profitable drug hustle.
WHAT THIS FILM DOES WELL: This film doesn't sugarcoat what is happening here in these 90 minutes but it also doesn't mistreat the message it ultimately is trying to convey either. Mustafa and Hedy Wong's script is solid and the beats are handled with a nice mix of intensity and introspection that really are hallmarks of a great crime movie. The interesting twists and turns this movie takes messes with your equilibrium enough to blur some of the lines so you become even more invested but it also gives you a clear cut side to root for and that is a tough trick to pull off. The cinematography of Alberto Triana and the design by Hissoni sets up a great gritty atmosphere while still giving you the natural progression you need to follow a film that moves like this. Hedy Wong is amazing in her role but two scene stealers really do a lot for me in this film in Ski Carr and Lynna Lee. Both have a lot to shoulder in making this film have all I just said especially with the twists and turns and both handled it amazingly.
WHY YOU NEED TO CHAMPION THIS FILM: This is Asian American production, written and performed by an Asian American actress who was tired of playing those tropes and canned roles that really perpetuate a stereotype that has no edge and is just insulting and demeaning. Wong's take on her culture, where she is from and grew up, and what she likes to see in films are all on display here. It doesn't get more authentic. Hissoni Mustafa is a star in the making as a director. He also does so much here to not fall into pitfalls or traps and still give this film an indie edge. That's a skillset we need to see more of. I have ot say I saw an early on cut of this film when covering Cinequest a couple years ago and this latest version I saw is leaps and bounds over what I thought was a pretty good film already. Take Out Girl really brings you in, doesn't insult you, and keeps you entertained throughout, I don't know if you can get much better than that.
YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS FILM IF YOU LIKED: Weeds, Miss Bala, and Queen of the South
YOU CAN SEE THIS FILM ON DEMAND HERE
OUR INTERVIEW FROM CINEQUEST 2019 WITH HISSONI, HEDY, AND PRODUCER MELISSA DEL ROSARIO
ALSO OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE WHOLE GROUP AGAIN ON THE RED CARPET OF THE FILM THREAT AWARDTHIS INDIE FILM AWARDS is HERE ( click on the link and it takes you right to their interview)
YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS FILM IF YOU LIKED: Weeds, Miss Bala, and Queen of the South
YOU CAN SEE THIS FILM ON DEMAND HERE
OUR INTERVIEW FROM CINEQUEST 2019 WITH HISSONI, HEDY, AND PRODUCER MELISSA DEL ROSARIO
ALSO OUR INTERVIEW WITH THE WHOLE GROUP AGAIN ON THE RED CARPET OF THE FILM THREAT AWARDTHIS INDIE FILM AWARDS is HERE ( click on the link and it takes you right to their interview)
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