The latest American Drama about immigrants brought to America as children who are now facing deportation is leaving audiences sobbing for the families that face separation. Justin Chon has really knocked it out of the park with his latest film, Blue Bayou.
Blue Bayou follows the story of Antonio LeBlanc, a Korean American man fighting to support his wife and stepdaughter as they are also preparing to bring a new little girl into their family. An argument in the grocery store sparks interest of local law enforcement, one being the ex-husband and estranged father (Mark O’Brien) to LeBlanc’s step daughter. After that it is a fight to stay as LeBlanc is taken by ICE only to find out like so many other children that he is not legally authorized to live in the American’s.
Chon not only directed and wrote this heartbreaking American tale, he also starred along side actress Alicia Vikander and the chemistry between the two of them is exceptional. From the moment he his taken, it’s the emotion that any wife/mother faces when she feels as if her family is falling apart just in one swift action. Similarly the acting of newcomer Sydney Kowalske who played the young daughter, Jessie is equally powerful and pure for the sake of innocence. Her innocence in interacting with both Chon and Vikander is what makes the ending so heartbreaking. As Kowalske is used in more films, it’ll certainly be interesting to see how that innocence matures.
Blue Bayou is definitely a typical Focus Features Film as it leaves the audience with open ended questions but ultimately its probably one of the best films that the Comcast company has produced in a long time. It’s a film that is definitely recommended as it shows the emotional side to what many illegals in America must face on a daily basis.
The film came out in theaters September 17 and is currently playing in limited quantity near you.