Aaron Takahashi, Ariadne Shaffer, Crystal Keith
A group of over-achieving Asian-American high school seniors enjoy a power trip when they dip into extra-curricular criminal activities.
DVD Release Date: September 30, 2003
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Stats: 473 reviews
Flixster Reviews (473)
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July 21, 2008[At a party]
Steve Choe: "So this is where the Asians hang out?
Daric Loo: Yeah, the library's closed."
Better Luck Tomorrow is an astonishing début from filmmaker Justin Lin, a breakthrough on two counts that Hollywood typically bungles for profit. ...( read more) -
March 29, 2008A strangely unique indie with a satiric edge. It reaks of low-budget, not in a good way, but director Justin Lin shows promise.
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February 26, 2006The leads are all the type of characters that would have been ushered beneath the carpet as supporting characters in any other "teen" film, and yet here they seem to all fit perfectly well. The indie surprise of 2003... touching, thrilling, and engaging. Oh yes, and intelligent,...( read more)
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May 4, 2009I remember seeing all this buzz for this movie back in high school and being very interested in seeing it, but never got the chance. I saw "Yellow" years later and got the two mixed up. I wish I'd seen this movie sooner, so many actors I've become familiar with on television or o...( read more)
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October 7, 2009Been meaning to watch this Asian-cast movie for years. There's a dark twist on the overachieving Asian stereotype: break the rules in a big way and overachieve doing so. Dark!
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September 19, 2009Had to watch it for my writing class, I can say that it was much better once I started analyzing it, but it was a really weird, movie.
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August 21, 2009Better Luck Tomorrow is a movie that I have a lot of time for. It is a striking movie that was both heartfelt and haunting in its conclusion. Had it not been for the great performance from Parry Chen and writer/director Justin Lin, the film would have suffered into a cliche about...( read more)
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July 13, 2009An interesting coming of age story set amidst a group of thrill-seeking Asian-American suburban teens, the film doesn't really feel very complete to me in the end, which was a tad frustrating. The kids don't appear to have any parents, as they come and go as they please, with no...( read more)
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Critic Reviews
April 24, 2003
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
April 18, 2003
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
While its characters are specifically Asian American ... the film really speaks to all young people, about dangerous games and their disturbingly untidy consequences. full review
April 18, 2003
Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
Like his characters, Lin may be an overachiever and the strain of trying to do too much shows. full review
April 11, 2003
Nick Schager, Filmcritic.com
Lin's assured and electric tale of good kids gone bad might be just another run-of-the-mill exercise in flashy adolescent nihilism were it not for the cleverly atypical way in which he confronts the m... full review
April 11, 2003
Claudia Puig, USA Today
There is a moral ambiguity to the film that could disturb some viewers, but the film's clever plotting and intriguing characters will stay with you well after leaving the theater. full review
April 11, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Not just a thriller, not just a social commentary, not just a comedy or a romance, but all of those in a clearly seen, brilliantly made film. full review
April 10, 2003
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
There's a sting to this film that gets to you. full review
Comments
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