Highlighted by an appealing performance by newcomer Thang Chan as a Vietnamese-American in love with an affluent white teenager -- played by another unknown, Shayne Gray -- Strand Releasing's "The Delta" is a gay romancer with substance that should be well received by its target audience.
After playing in many festivals, the low-budget U.S. independent bows locally with a regular engagement at Laemmle's Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
Set in Memphis, Tenn., with the story initially concentrating on young rogue Lincoln Bloom (Gray) and his busy life, "The Delta" has a literary quality, but it ultimately proves disappointing. Living with wealthy parents but hanging out with trashy white kids and a dreary blond girl he seems to like, Lincoln also cruises gay hangouts and picks up guys.
The accent by first-time director Ira Sachs is heavy on atmosphere and for long stretches "The Delta" is a pleasing diversion. Through the use of sound and a leisurely pace, Sachs and cinematographer Benjamin P. Speth create a gritty but comfortable milieu.
Once Lincoln crosses paths with John (Chan), the film has many charming scenes where the latter's enthusiastic flirting and gentle manliness make an impression on his new companion. There's not much for them to do but get in trouble and have a falling out, but the actors have a strong chemistry and one gets caught up in their clash of cultures and wills.
Unfortunately, the film ends on a jarring note that does much to undermine one's overall appreciation of the project. Still, Chan is a striking new presence, who, like his character in the movie, is the son of an American GI and Vietnamese mother and was raised on a rice farm outside Saigon before moving to Seattle in 1993.
Also impressive is Gray, an Arkansas native who is a trained medic. In several striking sequences he conveys the inner struggles of his emotional character, although a climactic swing toward heterosexuality is not convincingly handled. Indeed, conflicts arise with no warning, and the film swerves to the finish line.
THE DELTA
Strand Releasing
A Charlie Guidance prod.
Writer-director:Ira Sachs
Producer:Margot Bridger
Director of photography:Benjamin P. Speth
Editor:Affonso Goncalves
Production designer:Bernhard Blythe
Art director:Yin Ling Wong
Music:Michael Rohatyn
Color/stereo
Cast:
Lincoln Bloom:Shayne Gray
John:Thang Chan
Ricky Little:Colonious Davis
Running time -- 85 minutes
No MPAA rating...
After playing in many festivals, the low-budget U.S. independent bows locally with a regular engagement at Laemmle's Music Hall in Beverly Hills.
Set in Memphis, Tenn., with the story initially concentrating on young rogue Lincoln Bloom (Gray) and his busy life, "The Delta" has a literary quality, but it ultimately proves disappointing. Living with wealthy parents but hanging out with trashy white kids and a dreary blond girl he seems to like, Lincoln also cruises gay hangouts and picks up guys.
The accent by first-time director Ira Sachs is heavy on atmosphere and for long stretches "The Delta" is a pleasing diversion. Through the use of sound and a leisurely pace, Sachs and cinematographer Benjamin P. Speth create a gritty but comfortable milieu.
Once Lincoln crosses paths with John (Chan), the film has many charming scenes where the latter's enthusiastic flirting and gentle manliness make an impression on his new companion. There's not much for them to do but get in trouble and have a falling out, but the actors have a strong chemistry and one gets caught up in their clash of cultures and wills.
Unfortunately, the film ends on a jarring note that does much to undermine one's overall appreciation of the project. Still, Chan is a striking new presence, who, like his character in the movie, is the son of an American GI and Vietnamese mother and was raised on a rice farm outside Saigon before moving to Seattle in 1993.
Also impressive is Gray, an Arkansas native who is a trained medic. In several striking sequences he conveys the inner struggles of his emotional character, although a climactic swing toward heterosexuality is not convincingly handled. Indeed, conflicts arise with no warning, and the film swerves to the finish line.
THE DELTA
Strand Releasing
A Charlie Guidance prod.
Writer-director:Ira Sachs
Producer:Margot Bridger
Director of photography:Benjamin P. Speth
Editor:Affonso Goncalves
Production designer:Bernhard Blythe
Art director:Yin Ling Wong
Music:Michael Rohatyn
Color/stereo
Cast:
Lincoln Bloom:Shayne Gray
John:Thang Chan
Ricky Little:Colonious Davis
Running time -- 85 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 8/15/1997
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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