Review | Fresh Off Markham movie review: Chinese immigrant experience at heart of Canada-set comedy
Despite interesting cultural observations in the first third, this comedy thriller is let down by poor writing and very stilted performances
2/5 stars
An ambitious, if ultimately unsuccessful, comedy thriller from first-time filmmakers Kurt Yuen, Trevor Choi and Cyrus Lo, Fresh Off Markham packs a number of pointed issues into a triple-stranded, Tarantino-inspired narrative set in the multicultural Toronto suburb of its title.
Potent themes ranging from immigration and racial prejudice to historical exploitation are raised, but poor writing and stilted performances hobble it from the get-go.
In “Red River”, Shan (Chang Nian) arrives from China and immediately becomes embroiled in petty crime. Stiffed by the shady relocation company that promised him a job and accommodation, he reluctantly joins his old buddy Kevin (Li He) in knocking off a Japanese restaurant, a job that inevitably goes awry.
Their driver (Edmond Clark) is so concerned about maintaining his perfect customer rating that he agrees to chauffeur his oddball clients around town despite one of them needing urgent medical attention.
