West 32nd (2007)

As films such as MEAN STREETS have exposed the underbelly of Little Italy, Mike Kang's WEST 32ND is a gritty look at New York City's Koreatown. John Cho (HAROLD AND KUMAR GOES TO WHITE CASTLE) plays John Kim, an ambitious lawyer who sees how taking the case of a young Korean murder suspect may be able to improve the image of his firm--and him by extension. He meets the boy's sister Lila (Grace Park), and he's immediately drawn to the case. As he investigates the case, he goes deeper and deeper in to the underworld of gangs and corruption.

With OLDBOY and THE HOST, Korean films have gained a foothold in U.S. cinemas, but Korean American films have yet to do the same. Raised in Providence, Rhode Island, director-screenwriter Kang gives an interesting look at the lives of those straddling the space between Korea and America. Cho, who was previously so funny in the stoner comedy, moves seamlessly into this intense drama. He carries the film with his deft portrayal of a complex character. Park, who is best known for her role as a Cylon in the Sci Fi series BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, gets to stretch a bit in her role as the conflicted Lila. Coupled with small moments of humor, her flirtation with John gives the film a brief rest from the darkness. WEST 32ND harkens back to crime films such as DONNIE BRASCO and RESERVOIR DOGS where characters with the best of intentions get in over their heads as they spend time with the "bad guys."