Blue Bayou

Born in Korea but adopted and raised by an American family in Louisiana, Antonio LeBlanc (Justin Chon), is a husband to Kathy (Alicia Vikander) and hard working father of Jessie (Sydney Kowalske), just trying to make ends meet. With another baby on the way, Antonio is under more pressure than ever to provide for his family; now, with the discovery that his adoptive parents never finalized his paperwork as a child, he faces deportation back to Korea. Maintaining residency in the U.S. will require soul searching of monumental proportions, but what if it’s already too late?Written and Directed by the film’s lead, Justin Chon, this story explores the complexities of giving love, being loved, hope, and learning how and when to let go; all the while, excruciating in its descent and raising awareness to a problem within the system here in the U.S.. Strong points to the ensemble overall, and, particular positive notes to new comer Kowalske, no doubt a rising star. Narratively strong, the only false tones go to the blockish and heavily stereotyped writing that surrounds law enforcement, past that, Chon is clearly coming into his own as a filmmaker and one to watch come awards season. Checking the checkbox of tragedy and worth your time this weekend, Blue Bayou is rated R.