Grim, downbeat, moody, semi-surrealist and enigmatic. I caught most of it on Sundance. The acting is good, the photography and soundtrack are fine. The unhappy, depressing atmosphere, not the content, reminded me of the better, hardcore porn feature films of the late 70s and early 80s, minus any nudity and sex. But if you like that kind of cinematmosphere, go for broke and rent the masterly hard-erotic porn films of Cecil Howard or Henry Pachard instead. Uses female stereotypes--Asian massage parlor girls and a Dragon Lady type manager--to provide the catalyst for four guys seeking a happy landing. Don't read too much into this film and look for artistic expressions and implied statements about the human condition. This is a film about guys who get professionally jacked by Korean women in a grimy neighborhood. That's all it is and it takes a long time to reach its climax. The front desk actress is smoking hot.
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jameselliot-125 February 2010
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Four disparate men in New York City (a married executive, an elderly widower, a slacker tied too closely to his mother, and a businessman with self-help issues) are each drawn to an oriental massage parlor, where the rub-downs they get from the Asian girls are not quite what they expected. Writer-director Matt Mahurin has made an unflattering movie out of inflated male fantasies; he's unflinching, for the most part, and not afraid to go out on a limb, though what he does deliver isn't exactly captivating. His direction is much better than his script, which begins with three terrible phone conversations (and another in a cemetery) and goes downhill from there. The actors are lead into some precarious and sour situations, while Mahurin's jaundiced sense of humor is undermined by flagrant ugliness. * from ****
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Temprock148 April 2007Saw it last night at the Philadelphia Film Festival and I felt the whole of this film wound up (emotionally) less than the sum of its parts. Very good concept, good casting but (it might be just me) I had absolutely no emotional connection on a sustained basis with any important character (white male or Asian female).
****Semi-spoiler alert (general summation only)***** The end of the film was a bit garbled to me,both visually (a bit dark in shade) and I couldn't be sure in one or two of the end sequences which character was returning to his "real" life
Perhaps because I viewed it toward the end of a long day of film and food, at a rather crowded and occasionally too warm venue, I found the pace to be too slow and confining at times.
Baldwin as usual gave a good performance with an edgy undertone.
Not for everyone; not not for anyone. OK (but how realistic I cant say; seemed way too sanitized to me) peek into what goes on (perhaps) behind the curtain of parlors, and the folks who might patronize them.
I did not view them all as desperate, lonely or exceptionally needy. I viewed one or two of the patrons as possibly conflicted, but absolutely there to "escape" the drudgery or routine of their "real" lives. -
Beautiful cinematography, careful camera work and a crisp sound track mark this sensitive exploration of the innate longing for human connection. The story is set in what is commonly regarded as a shady setting without denigrating any of the subjects. The characters are authentic individuals encountering typically human situations. Their responses communicate universal truths. The script is creative and the film is executed with a poignant sense of humor. Gentle pacing and skillful character treatment make this film a joy to view. A touching treatment, communicated with imagination and empathy. Outstanding attention to detail are a credit to the understanding displayed by actors and to the assurance of the director's hand. A landmark of film making.
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heronfree2 April 2013I just caught this movie on Netflix and found it quite charming and quaint. Yes there's a couple of scenes that give the movie more of a 'massage parlor' feel but it doesn't weigh the movie down with sleaze. Though it does dramatically shift the feel of the movie, it does make sense given the nature of the why the patrons have chosen to visit.
It was surprisingly well done while avoiding the standard predictable stereotypical characters and plot twists you'd come to expect. Done with surprising heart given the theme. Try not to put it in a box, as it doesn't really fit anywhere, and you'll probably quite like it.
The movie is raw at times, real at times, and sweet at times. It's a bit of a melting plot. The cast was good, and the female Asian actors are gorgeous. There's not much more I can say. If you're too something a bit different give it a try.