Cast. Justin Chon, Sydney Kowalske, Mark O'Brien, Linh-Dan Pham, Alicia Vikander.
Rating. 71%
Written, directed and starring Justin Chon, Blue Bayou tells the story of a Korean adoptee, Antonio LeBlanc, his pregnant wife, Kathy (Alicia Vikander) and young, stepdaughter, Jessie (Sydney Kowalske). Having left Korea as an infant, the young Antonio was raised in Louisiana by various foster parents. Now an adult, an administrative error means potential deportation from the United States and tearing the family apart.
Authentic, genuine and grounded. Blue Bayou's storyline is based upon the real-life experiences of many foreign adoptees in the US today.
The dynamic between Chon, Vikander and the young Kowalske is heartwarming. There is seldom a wasted minute on screen when the family members are together. Chon delivers an intelligent and restrained performance, clearly wounded without ever straying into melodrama. The highly talented Alicia Vikander provides genuine empathetic support as his increasingly torn spouse. But the sub-plot involving Parker Nguyen (Linh-Dam Pham) and her family feels like an unnecessary distraction.
Beautifully shot on 16mm film, Blue Bayou has a natural, visceral look that would be universally well received by arthouse audiences.
The film's simple, but powerful, storyline is potent. Blue Bayou holds little back as it spotlights the injustice, hypocrisy and cruelty of American immigration law. The film's finale, whilst undoubtedly over-contrived, delivers an uncompromising, no holds barred, emotional sucker punch. With the stakes so real and raw, Blue Bayou is a compelling and heartbreaking watch.
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