Pali Road

..... It was a pretty decent movie. Normally I'd give it a 6,5 but it'll get the other 0,5 for the general effort and kind hearted moral of the story.

The truth is some scenes dragged a little and it could have been shorter, also there were some oddities such as why she didn't call the boyfriend while researching her past, but overall it wasn't disappointing and it didn't feel like a waste of time in the end, which for me is the ultimate criterion as to if a movie was good or not.

It also has sort of a moral in the story which is subtle and down to earth.

It's a good movie for a lazy night..

Recently, I had the pleasure of screening the film "Pali Road". The film is about a woman who dates a young doctor, but after a car accident wakes up to find she is married to his professional rival and has a son. No one in her life, not even her parents remember the original love of her life, causing her to question her thoughts as well.

Pali Road, written by Doc Pedrolie and Victoria Arch is an intense psycho analysis of the human mind and shows the true power of the heart. The script and storyline are complex without being difficult to follow. A true intelligently written story.

Jonathan Hua Lang Lim directs a beautifully told story with sweeping shots and a serviceable pace. The story moves at a rate that causes the viewer to want to stay with it. He also does wonders in the direction of his actors.

The young woman is played by actress, Michelle Chen (Badges of Fury) who I was unfamiliar with before viewing this title. She serves as a great central character who is going through this psycho analysis. Her acting is top notch as she really conveys the beats and levels of love, fear and doubt as the plot unfolds. Pali Road will be a key vehicle in familiarizing this talented audience with a mass audience. Film fans will recognize the two leading male characters as Jackson Rathbone (Twilight) and Sung Kang (Fast and Furious). Rathbone, who plays the former love interest before the accident does well as the romantic lead. Kang, who plays the new husband and father really reaches a depth that was not seen in the uber popular action franchise he is known for. This movie proves as beneficial for the actors to showcase their talents as they prove beneficial for the film.

I highly recommend any film fans, or fans of its star actors to take the time to view this title. At 92 minutes it is not a marathon to watch as the plot moves swiftly. A really well put together film.

I don't know how this movie got such high rated reviews, maybe we watched different films, but in ny opinion it failed in several different ways. The writing is cheesy and the acting is awful. The only person whose acting was believable was the Neil character, everyone else around him was just reading a script. Even her pretending to be a doctor was cringeworthy to watch.

The plot is suspenseful and the characters are intriguing. It is creative and the "what will happen next" keeps viewers riveted to the film. I love the winding of local culture and the beauty of the islands was well interweaved. The photography/cinematography was beautiful, it takes a real artist to catch some of the scenes. I was surprised by the outcome of the film and like that I did not expect it. The female roles were well cast and I kept watching the faces of the female characters. The cinematography was expert in coloring the background scenes of the islands to show viewers the inner beauty of Hawaii. It was interesting to see the interaction of the in laws and parents and I think they were portrayed as many of the old time parents thought, those of the "fifties". In addition, the film showed a suspense, a girls plight, riveting portrayal of family roles and local cultural roles, scenery, changes in life, choices in life and how those affect ones' outcome, responsibilities in life. After seeing the film you go out to think about our own lives and the movies makes one think of how our own choices affect where and whom we are.

The "waking up and not remembering your life" meme has been played out in many film and TV shows in the past. However, "Pali Road" takes it to a new level.

Lily (Michelle Chen) wakes up after a car accident and it thrust into a life she has no memory of. The memories that she does have are those of being with her boyfriend, Neil (Jackson Rathbone) and not of her current husband and child.

Her family and friends insist that this current life is the only reality there is. Lily begins to question her sanity and the film takes a darker, more suspenseful turn.

The acting is excellent with Chen and Rathbone delivering moving performances. The cinematography adds so much to the film that it almost feels like an additional character. Scenes go from bright, warm and lush to dark and brooding as the film progresses. Director Jonathan Hua Lang Lim keeps the story moving and delivers some spectacular camera shots.

Ultimately this film is about the power of love to overcome all obstacles. The love that Lily feels is stronger than the "reality" that is telling her something different. Watching this film will make many people question their own reality and the choices and compromises they have made in their lives.

I think really good movies will leave you thinking and questioning and "Pali Road" is no exception. If you get a chance to see this film I highly recommend that you do.