Better Luck Tomorrow

Like many a crime debut before him, Lin displays his debt to GOODFELLAS a little too loudly and ostentatiously, but overall delivers an enjoyable crime effort, whose derivative nature (there’s a decent serve of RISKY BUSINESS on the side) is counteracted somewhat by the fresh and charismatic cast, especially a wonderfully malevolent baby-faced Cho, and the leading trio who surprisingly don’t try to reach for much sympathy, playing their characters pretty much down the middle as manipulative, low-level thugs. This arguably leaves a bit of an emotional void at the centre, but it’s otherwise a compelling and fun ride.