"FINISHING THE GAME"

Directed & written by: Justin Lin
Running time: 88 minutes
Release date: October 5, 2007 (Limited)
Genre: Mockumentary, Action and Biopic
Distributor: IFC First Take
MPAA Rating: Not Rated

In the documentary style farce on finishing Bruce Lee's last film "Game of Death," the filmmaker makes a distinct effort not to make fun of the genre, but instead mocks the process in marketing this project and targeting Asian demographics.

The unexpected death of Bruce Lee came at the zenith of his popularity, just as he was becoming a world-wide phenomenon and established movie star. Having already shot 12 minutes of scenes for his upcoming movie Game of Death, studio heads decided to complete this film by launching a search for his replacement, attracting hopefuls from all around the world.

This is an uproarious, poignant, unpredictable and action-packed re-imaging of the casting process for Lee's replacement and examines the leaps and bounds Asians may or may not have made in the way they are represented in the media. This casting process delves into the exhaustive search and hilarious events of a few unlikely candidates. A wannabe b-movie actor Breeze Loo (Roger Fan); a starry-eyed doctor Raja (Mousa Kraish), a traumatized refugee Cole Kim (Sung Kang) who is managed by his aggressive girlfriend Saraghina Rivas (Monica Gabriela Curnen); a southern bumpkin' downhome good ol' boy who beleives he's Asian Tarrick Tyler (McCaleb Burnett); a former cop-show sidekick Troy Poon (Dustin Nguyen) all vie to follow in the legend's sizable footsteps.

As the lengthy audition intensifies led by energetic casting director Eloise Gazdag (Meredith Scott Lynn), good natured camaraderie gives way to backstabbing rivalry.

Filmmaker Lin proves he is a master of both period detail and social commentary. His attitude lampoons both Hollywood's uncomfortable relationship with race and self-importance of filmmaking itself. Thus making this a very relevant, serious and funny film.

Film Rating (B)