STORY

Close Call is a coming of age awakening heartfelt story about a teenage girl trapped in a downward spiral of promiscuous sex, drugs, alcohol use, and criminality. Brutally honest in its depiction of the damage wrought by the breakdown of the family in contemporary America, Close Call adds another theme to the story: The ever-widening gap between first generation parents and the generation Y children. Close Call focuses on sixteen-year-old Jenny Kim, born and raised in corrupt Los Angeles. Family problems lead to a divorce causing Jenny to suffer from intense feelings of alienation and abandonment. Ignorant of her native culture and unsure of her place in American society, Jenny finds herself vulnerable to the evil influences and temptations surrounding her from friends, raves, boys and other mishaps. While her mother loses control of her, it is her father, David, who reunites with Jenny and leads the teenager to redemption. Never losing his all-consuming love for Jenny, David proves willing to make any sacrifice to save her. It is the intense psychological interplay between father and daughter in two different worlds that forms the heart and soul of Close Call.




MEDIA REVIEWS

Close Call is DISTURBING but ACCURATE.  A STORY THAT HAS NEVER BEEN TOLD WITH SUCH HONESTY."
-YOLK Magazine

A Korean-American 16-year old can go just as wild as any other high school girl, wilder even than the girls in ‘Thirteen.’ Annie Lee’s beautiful Jenny Kim misses nothing on the path of self-destruction. With her it’s not just a case of sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll in copious amounts but almost all of their direst consequences: rape, brutality and murder. Jenny’s downward spiral is all too familiar in real life, and … her traditionally conservative Asian ancestry plays … a sharp, fresh edge. Jimmy Lee’s valid point that a connection with one’s ethnic culture can be a source of pride and identity…
-Kevin Thomas, LOS ANGELES TIMES

FROM YAHOO USER REVIEWS

CLOSE CALL Rocks!
by indiefilmsforever Apr 16, 2004

Close Call is RAW & RACY! This film has everything in it. It was dramatic, made me laugh, and has action in it. The story took me on a roller coaster ride. You don't know what to expect. Definitely entertaining and touching!

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Wow!!
by xav3x Apr 16, 2004

...it developed into a story that was heart touching and shows even those of ignorance can be turned back by love. Brought tears to my eyes..

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UNFORGETTABLE...
by shanewestington Apr 27, 2004
I walked out crying, and I'm a guy! This film is riveting, raw, and worth watching. The story was touching and realistic, the acting was very believable and refreshing, and I really liked the director's edgy style. It was a blend of drama, comedy, and reality that i really enjoyed. For a low budget indie, it was very impressive. This movie affected me so much that I even called my dad after I left the theatre. Now that's a film!

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Highly Recommended
by koamgen1 Apr 25, 2004

…found it to be better than most indie's out there. It tells a story that most people can relate to, and I saw many older generation parents walking out with tears in their eyes. All in all, I have actually been through the things this character has gone through and for the first time, I related completely! Most movies I can relate only here and there, but this movie was like telling my own life story.

Catch it before it's gone--I know that indie's can only stay in the movie theatre depending on how well they do and since this movie doesn't have a lot of advertising, it's surviving solely on word-of-mouth.

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Awesome Film So Far!
by deadlyxobsession Apr 20, 2004

I seen so many films before and I loved Close Call. The story can relate to many people. Anyone who said it was dumb or stupid or it even suck don't know what they are talking about. Maybe because they never been thru the whole thing before. Believe it or not there are REAL people out there living her life.

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extreme movie
by jasonrng Apr 20, 2004

go into this movie with no/low expections, and you'll be surprised with what this movie has to offer. a bit on the high end of a serve case of a kid who is still trapped as a young kid, finding what there is still out there. a kid who wants to explore evERYTHING.. which includes drugs, living on the street, going to clubs, sex, and living a life w/minimal parental contacts. with no doubt, i believe that this story can be TRUE ** also what's great about this movie is that there were scenes from the puente hills mall, it's a ghetto mall but it's a mall im most familar with

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compelling story
by jilee817 Apr 23, 2004

i was impressed by the story overall. the movie takes you on a lot of ups and downs. you don't quite know what's coming next. you get invested in the story because there are aspects of it that everyone can relate to. and any film in which asians aren't portrayed as either the shy, nerdy kid w/ glasses behind a ton of books, computer geek or a street racer is a step in the right direction. the film goes a long way in breaking away from the typical "asian" stereotypes, she doesn't have a 4.0 GPA, her family life isn't perfect... it's also refreshing to see an asian/am film where race and ethnicity aren't shoved down your throat. while it may not win any oscars, it's a good movie, entertaining, thought provoking and definitely worth watching.

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Lessons to be learned...see the film
by peterwing Apr 17, 2004

This film surprised me, risk-taking, edgey, not your typical Ko-Am Production. Not rated, however, due to violence, nudity, language, it should receive an "R" for "Right On". I think that the film needed this edge to be truthful of the kind of situations that disfunctional families can get into. Why be polite about a true story that some families would like to hide.

In the Q & A, what was so suprising is the fact that the Director Jimmy Lee is also the father of the lead actress Annie Lee. He must have wanted the message of this film be truthful, to reach and effect his audiences in order to have his own daughter shoot some of those scenes...Wow!

Kudos to the cast for great physically and emotionally challenging performances and the production for bring this coming of age, subculture of youth, and culture clash of Korean American lifestyle lessons.

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Crazy movie. Surprisingly Good!
by slygeorge2004 Apr 20, 2004

For an indie film, this was really good! The story was unique, the acting was great, and the visuals were stunning. Annie Lee is so pleasant to watch too. She is hot! It was enjoyable and it actually made me cry. If you want to be moved and have a good time, go see CLOSE CALL.

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Asian films moving up!
by asianebert Apr 17, 2004

I saw Close Call last night at the Arc Light. It was the premiere showing with a question and answer interview after the showing. The movie was incredible! It's a movie that keeps you off balance with it raw and edgy style. Just when you think the director Jimmy Lee is going to go one way - he tricks you and does the opposite. I can't say enough good things about this movie. Exciting, racy, and thrilling. You got to go see this movie!

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Review of the Review
by baikerman Apr 24, 2004

Kudos to all for your efforts to bring us into the main stream, I appreciate all that you have sacrificed and thank you for your strength to share and display your life for our benefit.

Thanks,
Slim
Thank you

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