Worth: $15.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Cardi Wong, Chris Carson, Parmiss Sehat, Ryan Mah Leeah Wong Claudia Kai
Intro:
... leaves the audience feeling hopeful, a trait that was once hard to find in queer cinema.
Golden Delicious tackles the intersection between the immigrant and queer experience. In this refreshingly unique feature length debut from director Jason Karman, the audience is treated to the promises of the well-established tropes of the teenage romantic drama, yet will also find a gut-wrenching but hopeful character arc.
The film follows Jake (Cardi Wong), as he finds himself in his final year of high school, yet to discover his identity. When urged by his girlfriend Valerie (Parmiss Sehat) to take their relationship to the next level, Jake finds that, after meeting his new next door neighbour Aleks (Chris Carson), there may not be another level. The added pressure of a troubled family life and his own personal mistakes, Jake realises that he must first find himself before he can find ‘the one’.
From a screenplay by Gorrman Lee, director Karman uses the prevalence of social media to engage with the new dynamics that teens face today. The ever-present danger of being exposed allows Karman to explore what it means to put on a mask, both for social media and for yourself. This distinctive use of social media leads the audience to root for Jake to reveal a little bit of himself to his family and friends, leaving his potential relationship with Aleks on the back burner.
The beautifully crafted cinematography by Alfonso Chin brings a youthful nostalgia to mind. At times toeing the line of music video like camera work, it is reminiscent of a time that was at once hopeful and energetic, yet troubled and confusing. Similarly, the often stylistic editing, channels an impressionistic view of Jake’s feelings throughout his journey.
Jason Karman leaves the audience feeling hopeful, a trait that was once hard to find in queer cinema. The cliched final kiss is relegated to a quick final shot, perhaps because that kiss was a mere by-product of the journey of a young boy finally revealing who he truly is, both to himself and to the world.
