Educational Media Reviews Online

Adrift tries very hard to be a moody, serious, art house film and, although it is not without some merit, the final product begins to fade after an initially intriguing set-up. Chuyên Bui Thac, who has two previous feature films to his credit (Cuôc xe dêm and Living in Fear), presents a beautiful looking but bland product about a recently married young woman, Duyen, whose husband, Hai, is too busy at work to give her any attention. Hai prefers the comfort of his boyhood home and doting affection of his mother. Duyen’s depressive best friend, Cam, contrives an accidental meeting between Duyen and Tho, who eventually run off together for a short trip. On her return, Duyen finds a strange woman in her apartment and runs to Cam.

Many of these plot points feel overly familiar and Adrift does nothing particularly new or interesting with them. Most of the characters are one dimensional. Hai is the spoiled son. Cam is a moody introspective writer. Tho is presented as a handsome cipher. We know nothing about him and he barely speaks. Duyen’s initial marriage to someone who is not interested in her and her subsequent fascination with this other man strain credibility.

Adrift seems to be trying to be a film about the emotional and sexual awakening of a young woman stuck in a loveless marriage but Chuyên Bui Thac does not give viewers any reason feel invested.

Awards

• FIPRESCI Prize, 2009