Reviewed by Michael Quartly-Kelly
Reckless decisions and spiralling consequence are explored in this film from writer-director Yuhang Ho.
Tuck, still living at home and working in his mothers small-grocer at 23 years of age, has started a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old high school girl, Ying.
Liking nothing more than hanging out, playing pool with his friends and riding his motorbike, his carefree existence is threatened when contraceptive pills are discovered in Ying’s bedside dresser.
As Tuck’s alcoholic single mother and Ying’s straight-laced parents deal with the emotional and legal ramifications of their children’s transgression, desperation leads them all towards further tragedy.
There seem to be pieces missing in this unevenly paced drama. The central characters are not presented in such a way that allows the audience to be moved by their plight and the result is a feeling of detachment at the final conclusion of the tale.
This is unfortunate, since the cast are all top-notch and the film certainly does not lack for interesting dynamic visuals. Better writing or editing could have produced a first rate movie here.
One and a half stars.
This film is playing at the 2010 Hong Kong Film Festival.
At the End of Daybreak
:: Director: Yuhang Ho
:: Starring: Wai Ying Hung, Chui Tien You, Ng Meng Hui
:: Running Time: 94 mins
:: Rating: TBC
:: Trailer: Watch here
