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, Sung Kang

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:

high school | overachiever | asian american | vomiting | pubic hair | 

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Taglines:

The Boyfriend. The Beauty. The Overachiever. The Mastermind. The Clown. The Muscle.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence, drug use, language and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Justin Lin / Trailing Johnson Productions

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 April 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Завтра повезет больше

Filming Locations:

Alhambra, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$250,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$360,772, 13 April 2003, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$3,802,390

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$3,809,226

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

The Beaver, Jerry Mathers makes an appearance as the biology teacher.

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Goofs

In the Las Vegas montage scene, while the protagonists are in a casino attempting to pull out their identification cards to prove their ages to a police officer, the badge on the officer's shoulder says California, while Las Vegas is in the state of Nevada.

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Quotes

Virgil Hu: Oh dude, did I tell you? I got it.
Ben Manibag: Got what?
Virgil Hu: Remember how I told you I once saw Stephanie Vandergosh in a porn? Well I got it.
Ben Manibag: Shut the fuck up.
Virgil Hu: I'll show you right now fool!
Virgil Hu, Ben Manibag: [Both Laugh]

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Alternate Versions

In the version shown at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival, Ben Manibag, played by Parry Shen, has taken part in the killing of a romantic rival, and towards the end he is heard saying, in effect, "Well, what I did wasn't right ...but I've got college to think about, and I've got a good life to look forward to, and I'm gonna move on."

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Connections

Featured in The Slanted Screen (2006)

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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

Anyone trying to understand today's affluent youth culture would do well to start here

First of all, this is a film about wealthy middle-class Asian teens. Too much smoking? Too much profanity? It seems a lot of IMDB users are out of touch with suburban teen culture.

One user even complained about the "the ubiquitous melancholy feeling you'll have throughout watching the movie (which) will stick with you hours after thanks to the resolutionless ending." That's like complaining about Nietzche because he's depressing.

That said, this is an EXTREMELY good movie. Anyone trying to understand today's affluent youth culture would do well to start here. It is true that the leads in this movie did not have to be Asians, but anyone who thinks this is a valid complaint should go visit a SoCal high school and check out the student population. Guess what you'll find? And while you're at it, could you please name a drama starring Asian people? Joy Luck Club? Okay, what else? Exactly.

I think it's also important to point out that MTV had no part in the creation of this movie. All they did was see the movie AFTER it had been made and agree to distribute it. Makes you wonder how valid most of these comments are when the writers don't even bother to read about the movie to understand it better.