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.

Director:

Justin Lin

Writers:

Ernesto Foronda, Justin Lin,

Stars:

Parry Shen, Jason Tobin, Shirley Anderson

1 win & 2 nominations.

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

Storyline

Ben is a perfectionist and overachiever whose tunnel vision leads to nothing less than graduating at the top of his class. As he struggles to achieve social success, he discovers his darker side. He and his friends: Virgil, Daric and Han lead a double life of mischief and petty crimes to alleviate the pressures of perfection. As their adopted identity grows, the gang tumbles into a downward spiral of excitement, excess and fun.

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Plot Keywords:

overachiever | high school | asian american | cheating | miniature golf | 

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Taglines:

Never underestimate an overachiever.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, drug use, language and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Cinematographer's Official Website Justin Lin / Trailing Johnson Productions

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 2002 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Alhambra, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$360,772 (USA) (11 April 2003)

Gross:

$3,799,339 (USA) (20 June 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cherry Sky Films, Day O Productions, Hudson River Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min 98 min (2003)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although some people thought that the film was inspired by the 1992 murder of Stuart Tay, an Asian-American youth who was killed by four of his peers on New Year's Eve in Orange County, California, filmmaker Justin Lin has stated that "at the very beginning of the writing process, [he] made a conscious decision not to base it on that, or any other, real event."

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Goofs

When the picture for Virgil's candy bar drive is first shown, the words "Runners Up" do not appear. In the close-up, "Runners Up" appears.

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Quotes

Steve Choe: You like Steph.
Ben Manibag: What?
Steve Choe: You want to take her to the winter formal?
Ben Manibag: Isn't that your job?
Steve Choe: I don't get into all that bullshit.
Ben Manibag: Why? You a fag or something?
Steve Choe: What do you think?

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Connections

Referenced in Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Blood on the Motorway"
Written by Josh Paul Davis & Marc Z
Performed by DJ Shadow
Courtesy of Universal-MCA Music Publishing, a division of Universal Studios on behalf of Mo Wax Music,
Ltd. (ASCAP) and Universal-Island Records, Ltd.
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises
Contains a sample of "It's Easy" by Marc Z

User Reviews

Gripping, occasionally self-conscious, but a brave, awesome feat in the end

Director Justin Lin's drama, Better Luck Tomorrow, brought back memories of seeing Larry Clark's Bully on TV, which was also about teens who looked for partying to have something to do with their time in the midst of dreary, same-temperature-all-the-time suburbia. But this time, Lin has his teenage characters not as aimless- these kids, and at least the lead, have futures and/or aspirations, thanks to rich families, and because of which feel secure in their side life's of drug-dealing and robbery.

The beginning sets a perfect mood, as two Asian-Americans lie in their backyard, basking in a hazing heat, think they hear one of their beepers, and realize that the sound is coming from under the soil, alongside with a body. This is set up not to spoil the story (this tale is inspired by true events some eleven years ago), but to set up the slick, if bleak, atmosphere.

The central character of Lin's film is Ben, a JV Basketball player who rarely gets picked to play, repeats words he picks up in the dictionary over and over in preparation for SAT's, and works a part-time job in a food court so he'll have something to put on college applications. Along with this are his friends, Virgil, Han, and Daric, the last of which being the most intriguing of the supporting characters.

Instead of Lin getting overtly cocky with his plot ideas and characters, he creates a study of them, and of the paths they are each on in their high times of adolescence. He does this in a style that is kinetic even in scenes that slow down or just have minor dialogue, and when things pick up they pick up (and slow down) at the right pace. We get a sense where the movie will take us, yet by the time it does it's surely not as expected.

When the last scene rolls around, and Ben has made decisions that will possibly effect the outcome of his life, it's clear that Lin has made a film for MTV that has a life-force, a cool if sorrowful spirit, and an understanding of the additudes of youth that skims close to the line of a soap, but never is stupid enough to even try it. Some will leave cheated; I think this it may be one of the best films of the year, a little gem for the Asian-American community. Between A and A+ (A because of a slightly weak side-plot with the character of Stephanie)