Ethan Mao

Title: Ethan Mao
Year: 2004
Distributor: tla releasing
Genre: Drama
Rated: R
Time: 87 Minutes

This Chinese-American kid (Ethan Mao) is kicked out of his house for being gay, so he hooks up with this Latino street hustler (Remigio). One day he gets a call from his younger brother that the family is going away for Thanksgiving and gives him access numbers to get into the house. He goes to the house to get his belongings and his family returns unexpectedly, so Ethan and Remigio hold them hostage over night. Most of them come to terms with each other.

The acting in here is pretty good and believable. The characters seem very real and appropriate to the setting. Ethan is a spoiled brat, Remigio is a smart and sensible guy, Abraham is the father and very stern and set in his Christian-Chinese ways, Noel is Ethan's younger brother who alerts him and is very smart, Josh is the step-brother who soon realizes that his brothers aren't that bad, and the step-mother who is back-stabbing and arrogant.

The plot itself is original and the writing is well done. The dialogue is believeable and the flow is pretty good. My only problem was with the flashback sequences later in the movie for they slightly confused me.

Music was very befitting of the moment, making it feel more real and right. Couldn't have asked for better music.

All in all, I give this movie an "A". It'll touch you when it comes to the ending whether you're gay or straight and you'll definitely be happy that Ethan DOES learn his family loves him.