Formosa Betrayed (2009)

34% of critics liked it
(29 reviews)
56% of users liked it
(365 ratings)

An FBI agent investigating the murder of a Taiwanese-American professor becomes caught up in a vast international conspiracy while aiding the Taiwanese government in catching the killer. The murder took place in the U.S., but in order to investigate, Agent Jake Kelly (James Van Der Beek) will travel… More An FBI agent investigating the murder of a Taiwanese-American professor becomes caught up in a vast international conspiracy while aiding the Taiwanese government in catching the killer. The murder took place in the U.S., but in order to investigate, Agent Jake Kelly (James Van Der Beek) will travel to Taiwan. Once there, he is partnered with American diplomat Susan Kane (Wendy Crewson) and Taiwanese official Kuo (Tzi Ma). From the moment Agent Kelly arrives on the island formerly known as Formosa, he is constantly reminded of his status as an outsider. Aided in his investigation by Taiwanese activist Ming (Will Tiao), Agent Kelly gradually uncovers a complex web of intrigue involving not only the Chinese mafia and the U.S. State Department, but the Republic of China as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 48 min.
Directed By: Adam Kane
Written By: Will Tiao, Charlie Stratton
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Feb 26, 2010 Limited
On DVD: May 25, 2010
Studio: Screen Media Ventures

Critic Reviews

Rick Groen, Globe and Mail
Formosa Betrayed is a history lesson dressed up as an action movie. The lesson is pretty interesting; the movie is just the far-fetched plot it hangs on.
Jen Chaney, Washington Post
A movie that shows us the desperation and danger of living under martial law in Taiwan during the early '80s, yet somehow never delivers the emotional gut punch the subject matter deserves.
Tirdad Derakhshani, Philadelphia Inquirer
Formosa Betrayed, a ho-hum college history lecture about modern Taiwan awkwardly disguised as a political thriller, has its heart almost in the right place.
Tom Long, Detroit News
Obviously heartfelt but somewhat stilted and disjointed.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Formosa Betrayed begins rather awkwardly, but ends by making a statement that explains a great many things.
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
Only viewers wondering if James Van Der Beek has finally outgrown "Dawson's Creek" will be at all satisfied by this dreadful police procedural that contains good history lessons and bad TV-cop-show drama.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Formosa Betrayed works better as a history lesson than as a political thriller.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...a hopelessly uninvolving and thoroughly routine piece of work from start to finish...
Jeffrey Chen, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
Worth a look for the history lesson. Just remember it is a history lesson.
Kam Williams, BlackFilm.com
A riveting thriller offering an array of history lessons and teachable moments about freedom.
Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The sturdy political thriller Formosa Betrayed is laudable for adding the voice of native Formosans to the usual two-sided debate that reaches the American media.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
It's a passionate labor of love that pointedly criticizes the U.S. government's failure to recognize Taiwan as a sovereign nation, independent of mainland China.
Liz Braun, Jam! Movies
As thrillers go, this one is lacking in edge-of-the-seat moments. It just never ignites.
Annlee Ellingson, Moving Pictures Magazine
In general, the pacing of the action is sluggish. Moreover, stylistic flourishes are distracting rather than enhancing.
Jeff Meyers, Metro Times (Detroit, MI)
When you hear dialogue like: "So, what do you know about the history of my country?" you know you're in for a whole lot of exposition
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Actor/co-screenwriter/producer Will Tiao's heartfelt agitprop history-lesson about Taiwan is a tightly wound thriller that takes no prisoners.
Kam Williams, Sly Fox
A riveting thriller offering an array of history lessons and teachable moments about freedom.
Aaron Cutler, Slant Magazine
This is a lot of Graham Greene hugger-mugger, the tale of a rube who believes that he can do good abroad.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tom E

For a documentary, it has good action and moves along VERY well -- I question why the good-looking actors do not shave -- he would've looked soooo much better clean-shaven -- But I loved the movie -- Happy ending
Cynthia S

The supposedly true story told in this movie was pretty good, and decently told....... but someone in the course of producing this flick thought it was a good idea to flash-back and flash forward several distracting times. The acting was fine, as was the camera work which helped… More
The supposedly true story told in this movie was pretty good, and decently told....... but someone in the course of producing this flick thought it was a good idea to flash-back and flash forward several distracting times. The acting was fine, as was the camera work which helped establish time and place, but it was the editing that made this movie less than it could have been.
Jeffrey M

A bit of a mixed bag in that it has the makings for a smart political thriller, but manages only to be an interesting history lesson, and never particularly thrilling. The acting is okay overall, especially in the face of some obvious script decencies. The set pieces and world… More
A bit of a mixed bag in that it has the makings for a smart political thriller, but manages only to be an interesting history lesson, and never particularly thrilling. The acting is okay overall, especially in the face of some obvious script decencies. The set pieces and world building were impressive, the Taiwan in this film feels real and gritty, something many films set abroad lack. The geopolitical backdrop is much more interesting than the actual plot line itself, but all in all a serviceable mystery/thriller.

Cast

            James Van Der Beek as Jake Kelly

            John Heard as Tom Braxton

            Leslie Hope as Lisa Gilbert

            Wendy Crewson as Susan Kane

            Tzi Ma as Kuo

            Will Tiao as Ming

            Kenneth Tsang as General Tse

            Chelcie Ross as Daltry

            Mintita Wattanakul as Maysing

            Adam Wang as James Lee

            Nirut Sirichanya as Dr. Huang

            Tom Jay Jones as Captain Chen

            Ted Boonthanakit as Chief Loh

            Pathomporn Tempark as Ming's Wife

            Napatcha Suthimaithee as Ming's Daughter

            Tonray Ho as Mrs. Wen

            Joseph Forunda as Henry Wen

            Tim Grimm as Dean Goodman

            Jason Wells as Motel Manager

            John Marengo as American Businessman

            Peggy Roeder as Coroner

            Mary Beth Fisher as Neighbor

            Attapol Klabob as Driver

            Tanada Amornpiyalerk as Hotel Desk Clerk

            Wallop Thearathong as Old Man in Diner

            Charlie Ruedpokanon as Translator

            Yi-Ho Su as Protest Leader

            Weera Lertsombath as Military Police #1

            Kittipong Subthawonpang as Military Police #2

            Henry Chu as David Wu

            Joseph Mazurk
            
See full cast