This kind of coming-of-age story has certainly been told before - a teenager (Miya Cech), angry at the world, gradually warming to an outside influence (Rhea Perlman), who helps her heal. She's lost her mother and is acting out at school, and meanwhile her father (Leonardo Nam) springs on her the fact that he's planning to marry his new girlfriend. By chance the girl meets a bohemian woman with sadness in her past as well, and begins learning the art of magic from her.
It feels like a well-trod trail, but Cech and Perlman are so wonderful here that it's hard not to lose your heart watching them. There are also some nice cultural touches, and graphic art incorporated visually. The arc of the story may feel predictable, but the fact that the character has been allowed to express such rage and defy the usual type of cultural molds was not. An endearing film from Kate Tsang, who I hope to see more from.
It feels like a well-trod trail, but Cech and Perlman are so wonderful here that it's hard not to lose your heart watching them. There are also some nice cultural touches, and graphic art incorporated visually. The arc of the story may feel predictable, but the fact that the character has been allowed to express such rage and defy the usual type of cultural molds was not. An endearing film from Kate Tsang, who I hope to see more from.