Review of China Girl (1942) by Roberto R — 29 Jun 2008

A modern day Romeo & Juliet or Westside story, set in New York in the late eighties. The two teenagers fall in love but he is Italian and she is Chinese. So, there is â??gonnaâ?? be trouble between some petty crooks in china town and little Italy, as both Tony (Richard Panebianco) and Tye (Sari Chang) siblings are both involved and they donâ??t like each other.

Quite bland acting by the two young leads but David Caruso kind of steals it with his bigoted character called â??Mercuryâ??. As itâ??s the 80s the music in the film seems really loud as the gangs batter each other, in their pulled up sleeved jackets and up turned collars.  Also, the hair somewhat â??quiffyâ?? for both sexes!  When the mobsters get involved in the violence between the gangs (as they want the warring sides to stop), it gets slightly gory.

Not a classic film by Abel Ferrara but as it is him behind the camera; it is well shot and shows a somewhat realistic and gritty city.