 |  |  | | | Lawrence AhMons new film Spacked Out takes on an expedition into the wasteland of adolescent world. It has employed Tuen Mun as its natural locale for isolation, and its children become the natural orphans. But the story seems to suggest that they have engaged in an act of self-exile, rather than being forced upon by the society. Most impressing, the so-called social welfare group is an echo to the films Chinese title of "without a driver". It hurts enough for these girls to be "without a driver"; a society "without a driver" is the origin for these sicknesses. | | LOG IN TO COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW! |
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| | | | | Foul language, drug addiction, and abortion, all seems to be too conspicuous. Lawrence AhMons choice of non-professional actors is all out of place. But the newcomers performance should be granted credit. Ah Ben calling the radio phone-in, and her video with Siu Man are just some of the gestures that young peoples desire to communicate and to be loved. When their family and school have failed to provide them, they look for consolations in homo and heterosexual relationships, or substance abuse. Adults have always wondered what turns young people into sour fruit, the film tells the answer straight in the face: all because you don't care. | | LOG IN TO COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW! |
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| | | | | It is good for the Hong Kong film industry to see that Lawrence AhMon can be back in the directors seat, and Spacked Out has demonstrated that he has the sensibility to social issues rarely seen in a Hong Kong filmmaker. The problems facing the protagonists are just as significant as those facing the kids in Gangs (1988, HK). However, it lacks neither the power nor the stamina of the former. The generic ending has been too preachy, and deviates from the very much reality-like drama of the beginning. | | LOG IN TO COMMENT ON THIS REVIEW! |
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