Formosa Betrayed (2009)
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34% of critics liked it
(29 reviews) -
55% of users liked it
(401 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
- Directed By
- Adam Kane
- Written By
- Will Tiao, Charlie Stratton
- Genres
- Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense
R,
- In Theaters
- Feb 26, 2010 Limited
- Studio
- Screen Media Ventures
Critic Reviews
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Tom Long, Detroit News
Obviously heartfelt but somewhat stilted and disjointed.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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James Van Der Beek
as Jake Kelly
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John Heard
as Tom Braxton
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Leslie Hope
as Lisa Gilbert
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Wendy Crewson
as Susan Kane
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Tzi Ma
as Kuo
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Will Tiao
as Ming
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Kenneth Tsang
as General Tse
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Chelcie Ross
as Daltry
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Mintita Wattanakul
as Maysing
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Adam Wang
as James Lee
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Nirut Sirichanya
as Dr. Huang
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Tom Jay Jones
as Captain Chen
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Ted Boonthanakit
as Chief Loh
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Pathomporn Tempark
as Ming's Wife
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Napatcha Suthimaithee
as Ming's Daughter
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Tonray Ho
as Mrs. Wen
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Joseph Forunda
as Henry Wen
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Tim Grimm
as Dean Goodman
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Jason Wells
as Motel Manager
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John Marengo
as American Businessman
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Peggy Roeder
as Coroner
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Mary Beth Fisher
as Neighbor
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Attapol Klabob
as Driver
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Tanada Amornpiyalerk
as Hotel Desk Clerk
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Wallop Thearathong
as Old Man in Diner
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Charlie Ruedpokanon
as Translator
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Yi-Ho Su
as Protest Leader
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Weera Lertsombath
as Military Police #1
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Kittipong Subthawonpang
as Military Police #2
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Henry Chu
as David Wu
- Joseph Mazurk
