Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong (2016)

I happened across this movie on Netflix. One of my favorites, "Lost In Translation" immediately came to mind. The test for me in embracing a film is whether I care about the characters. This film made it easy. Jamie Chung is mesmerizingly fetching. Yes, sassy, but her character played with an honesty. She eats up every scene. She's every guys dream date. Smart acerbic clever funny and a stunner. Any of us that have experienced the dopamine rush of meeting that special someone can appreciate the obvious infatuation shared by these characters. Watching Ruby and seeing her obvious hopeful desire to be with Everyman Josh gives shlubs like us a brief moment of joy. The film is beautifully shot, and the dialogue playful. This storyline that demands a sequel! I don't know what you want in a movie, but for me, I got the same resonant subtle melancholy joy that I felt after Annie Hall, Lost in Translation, and as far back as the Sound Of Music. Josh Greenburg is one lucky guy. We are lucky that Emily Ting made this film.

First of, as an Asian girl, I am very disappointed with the main female character. She is whiny, she is supposedly an Asian woman who grew up in the west. You would expect that that would give her a mature outlook of cultural differences, specially between oriental and western.But she whines about everything in Hong Kong and can't even see the adventure of just being in another part of the world. Any creative individual would be having an inspiration orgasm in a place like Hong Kong, so many visual stimuli and so much materials and avenue to work with. Also, FASHION!!! (which is supposedly her interest). I was also severely put off by how she acted like she lost her appetite when another couple sat beside them in the same table (a common scene in HK that I also found surprising). She could have been surprised, maybe laugh about it later, but not act like she owns the table, or the restaurant!Secondly, western (or shall I say, American) TV shows can be a discussion between inter-racial couple but this movie should have researched enough to know that not all Asian countries are their exotic stereotype. How do you think a channel like "Hits" (re-runs of old American 80's and 90's TV show favourites) have a lot of followers in Asia?Thirdly, why was she so surprise finding a knock-off of her toy??? every designer know the risk of their design being copied, especially in Hong Kong (if she works in Hong Kong, chances are that they make their toys in China! Hello, over-runs?!)The guy is a typical stereotype of supposedly laid-back American expat who tries to play it cool all the time because he has very low self esteem and wants everyone to think he is interesting and cool. And the girl tries hard to complain about anything Hong Kong (or Asian) as if to prefer the west makes her so much better than Asians who grew up in Asia.My point is, why would you set a movie in a foreign country (even include the name in the title) so that the characters can complain about it?To me, it just seems like a mediocre attempt to create a supposedly unique love story with an indie feel. The best they can do was dress it up with such "hipster" style angles, give good indie music background matched with exotic eastern scenes, but completely failed to create more intelligent and endearing characters and story plot.

I give this movie two stars because as many have already pointed out, the scenery is exquisite and makes me want to visit Hong Kong. Although it sounds dangerous. I would run the risk of running into these two and dying of boredom.The two main characters' banter is extremely awkward and wooden. It makes you realize it's probably pretty hard to write good dialogue so I have a better appreciation for filmmakers who do. These two sound like they are actually Barbie dolls and children are speaking through them. For example:Boy: what are you doing here? Girl: I actually live here now. Boy: what? You moved here? To Hong Kong?I guess in case the audience fell asleep and forgot where the movie was set in. There are some problems that I had with the movie. Mainly how painful listening to the characters talking to each other which is the main focal point of the movie. I feel like I maybe could see what they were trying to go for and the premise is promising.. but you really need great writing to hold the interest of the audience. Too bad this fell very short. It's not saying much when the saving grace of a film is looking at the natural beauty of the setting its in - nothing the filmmaker can take much credit for, other than having access to a nice camera.

In a city such as HK with millions of Asians, an Asian-American woman from LA ends up chatting to... a white man from NYC?! Really?!! The sheer coincidence is just unbelievable. I get that there are some American expats in HK but they are easily outnumbered by expats from the UK and Australia who tend to be mostly Asian. And what is it with Western media portraying white men as the saviour of Asian women? This would have been more believable if Jamie Chung was paired up with an expat who is Asian of Chinese descent. This is HK after all. The subject is briefly and quickly mentioned and brushed over in the film. If the film had explored the subject in more depth it would have aided to their character development.The film is full of spoken exposition. A film is supposed to SHOW not TELL. Otherwise I would have watched a stage play or an episode of a soap opera instead.The worst part is that the two leads exhibit zero chemistry on screen considering they are married in real life. There exist no spark of attraction between the two in the film. Bryan Greenberg's acting is passable but Jamie Chung is just awful, clearly requiring further acting classes. The cinematography is striking but the film is just style with no substance.