The promising first-time feature filmmaker Ximan Li embraces the twists of immigrant experiences within the drama “In a Recent York Minute.” Based on a brief story by Yi Nan that Li adapted, the director braids the saga of three women living in Recent York City. While their situations are very different, the malaise dogging each of them overlaps. Visual intersectional hints and an errant at-home pregnancy test link the ladies in ways intriguing if occasionally, forced.
The food author Amy Chen (Amy Chang) continues to suffer a violent response to meals a 12 months after a breakup. Her co-worker Peter (Jae Shin) plies her with eats and her mother (Cheng Pei Pei) pesters her about marriage. A blink-and-you-might-miss-it mention of Amy’s former “roommate” seems a bit coy for today and age but in addition may explain why the foodie’s story feels undercooked.
The actress Angel Li (Yi Liu) can’t appear to get a break, at the same time as the profession of the author (Ludi Lin) she is having an affair with is on the rise. Nina (a charismatic Celia Au) returns from her nighttime gig at a karaoke lounge — where customers retreat to personal rooms for singing and more transactional pleasures — with designer bags and money. She stashes them in her bedroom above the family restaurant in a move toward independence. At the identical time, a food truck cook (Roger Yeh) courts Nina with a mild clarity that confuses her.
One character sums up the movie’s underlying quandary: “Which might you select, love or freedom?” Time will tell whether that is the precise query, or one based on a wrongheaded premise.
In a Recent York Minute
Not rated. In English and Chinese, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 42 minutes. Rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon and other streaming platforms and pay TV operators.
