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Better Luck Tomorrow: Notable Asian? (2 of 3)
Clearly Better Luck Tomorrow (BLT) breaks stereotypes of the well-behaved,
nerdy Asian student. While that aspect of a Asian American adolescent
may exist, but Lin shows that there is much more to the picture with
his complex Asian characters who are part overachievers, part slackers,
part juvenille delinquents. In addition, while BLT is almost a movie
about teenagers who just happen to be of Asian descent, Lin does (gently)
address the issue of racism. For example, Daric writes a story in the
school newspaper about Ben as the basketball team’s token Asian
who never gets to play. In one of the funniest scenes in the movie, a
group of Asian kids in the school rally behind Ben by bringing “free
Ben” and “Let Ben play”signs to one of the games. Finally
the coach does send Ben in during the last few minutes of the game.
No Guilt/No Shame
What some viewers may find disturbing about the film
is the lack of culpability for the youth’s criminal acts
and the absense of remorse. In addition, it is hard to find
a message or even much social commentary in the film. It is
unclear if Lin is making a statement about the sterility and
emptiness of suburbia, or the emptiness of the American dream.
Also, there is not much attempt to investigate the issues and
quandries that Asian American youth may face at a difficult
and transitional time in their lives. The complete absense
of parental figures and reference to family life (and curfews!)
seems strange and contrived.
bltnotable3 - thanks, but not enough
