Fresh and Exciting

Dreadfully Boring

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

Beautiful cinematography, (shot by Jess Dela Merced) fun character development within a charming story about a young woman who returns to her hometown and tries to save the local theater and its company by taking over direction of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado. Superb performances by the cast, and the satisfying experience of rooting for a bunch of theater-lovers who just want a home to keep acting. The door to the theater plays a part in the film: open/close/locked/open. We're treated to an accurate look at Small Town City Council goings-on, too.Joyce Wu wrote and directed. Tsai Chin (The Joy Luck Club, Memoirs of a Geisha) plays the continually-skeptical Grandma. Philip Berns as Sol is particularly engaging - we need to see more of him.