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| Movie Review: Owl and the Sparrow Alternate Title: When Dreams Come True
Story: This movie is a simple
story about Thuy, a 10 year old girl with an incredible amount of spunk
(and she tilts the cute scale off its meter too). Against all odds,
she runs away from her Uncle's factory to find a better life and happiness
in Saigon. This delightful piece was written and directed by Vietnam
born, American raised Stephane Gauger. The little girl
is front and center in the story but the secondary city of Saigon is
not far behind. The hustle and bustle of this fast growing metropolis
plays more than a cameo role.
Little Thuy finds a warren of other lost children
on the streets of Saigon. This film could have gone in another direction
if the director chose to focus on why these children are living on the
street but director Gauger chose the sunny side of the street instead.
The other kids take little Thuy under their wing so she can earn a living
by either selling postcards or roses to tourists. While wandering the
streets she meets a lonely flight attendant and a caring zookeeper who
round out the tale.
Will little Thuy find the happiness she seeks?
Will the zookeeper find love? Will the flight attendant ever smile?
Will the elephant and orangutan survive? All these questions are answered
in this ode to Saigon.
Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMhrg0PUK3Q Acting: Cat Ly as the flight attendant was right
on target. Le The Lu as the zoo keeper was perfect
and the adorable, first time in the movies, Pham Thi Han
as Thuy was wonderful.
Trivia: I visited Vietnam last year. If you want to
see my loving portrait of this country check out some of my photos from
Vietnam.
OVERVIEW: http://www.judithwolfe.com/vietnam.html
SAIGON CITY ZOO: http://www.judithwolfe.com/SAIGONZOO.html
FACES: http://www.judithwolfe.com/vietnamfaces.html
TRANSPORTATION: http://www.judithwolfe.com/VietnamMoves.html
THE MARKETPLACE: http://www.judithwolfe.com/vietmarket.html
Predilection: I like to see films about places I
have traveled.
Critters: The elephant and orangutan that are featured
prominently in the film are represented in my photo montage from my
visit tot he Saigon City Zoo. http://www.judithwolfe.com/SAIGONZOO.html
Food: Yummy fare. I was hungry for some Vietnamese
food when I left the theater.
Opening Titles: Titles are at the end.
Visual Art: A loving portrait by director Gauger
of his city of birth.
Theater Audience: About 30 others.
Weather: Hot and/or rainy.
Drift Factor: I was attentive throughout.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No but it won the narrative feature
prize at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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