Better Luck Tomorrow
Encyclopedia
Better Luck Tomorrow is a 2002 crime
-drama film
directed by Justin Lin
. The movie is about Asian American
overachievers who become bored with their lives and enter a world of petty crime and material excess. Better Luck Tomorrow introduced Karin Anna Cheung
to film audiences and a cast including Parry Shen
, Sung Kang
, Jason Tobin
, Roger Fan
and John Cho
.
The film was based loosely on the murder of Stuart Tay, a teenager from Tustin, California
, by four Sunny Hills High School
honor students on December 31, 1992, in nearby Fullerton
.
In its first ever film acquisition, MTV Films
eventually acquired Better Luck Tomorrow after it debuted at The Sundance Film Festival
. After meeting at the National Association of Broadcasters
convention in Las Vegas, Nevada
in April 2001, MC Hammer
(credited as a producer) provided the much needed funding to the filmmaker Justin Lin for this film. The director
said, "Out of desperation, I called up MC Hammer because he had read the script and liked it. Two hours later, he wired the money we needed into a bank account and saved us."
) and his friend Virgil Hu (Jason Tobin
) are lying in the sun discussing college admissions. A cell phone ring tone is heard, and the two crawl along the grass, digging into the turf and discover a human hand.
) to earn easy money. Ben is involved in many of the school clubs, all of which are being used to pad his college application. He eventually tries out for the basketball team and makes the team, though he soon discovers that he is merely a bench player. In the meantime, Ben develops a crush on his new lab partner, Stephanie Vandergosh (Karin Anna Cheung
), a girl of Asian descent who appears to have been adopted by a white family.
), the senior valedictorian and the president of nearly every student club. He asks to interview Ben for a newspaper article, asking Ben about being on the team solely due to affirmative action. Ben becomes aggravated at the interview and Daric ends it with some photos. The article is published, resulting in a small group of students protesting the coach’s tokenism at every game. Both Ben and the coach are mortified, and despite an increase in playing time, Ben quits the team.
Daric later shows up at Ben's job at a fast food restaurant. Daric tries to dismiss the incident, but Ben is still angry. Before leaving, he gives Ben a sheet of paper, telling him that he would receive $50 if he finished it by the next day. While Ben at first attempts to dismiss it, he eventually completes it, giving it to Daric the next day.
Ben soon discovers that Daric is running a cheat-sheet operation. He pays Jesus, another student, to break into the faculty office and steal the tests, then proceeds to sell off the cheat sheets to students. Ben is brought into the operation, as are Virgil and Han. The four of them make a small fortune by the operation.
Meanwhile, Ben has fallen in love with Stephanie. He discovers that her boyfriend, Steve Choe (John Cho
), who is rich and arrogant, does not seem to appreciate her. Steve discovers Ben's crush and offers to let him take her to the Winter Formal. Ben is confused by the offer and declines, stating that that is Steve's job. He becomes incensed when Stephanie later confronts him with the knowledge.
Later, the group, now intoxicated, arrive at a party, where they are accosted by a football player who mocks them for their perfect image. A fight results in Daric pulling out a gun, stopping the fight. Daric, Virgil and Ben kick the fallen football player mercilessly before leaving the party. Virgil later expresses the rush he felt from the experience, while the remainder of the group observe a gang of cholo
s in the next lane over. Virgil eventually falls into tears over the possible fallout from the event and the rest of the group is relieved when the gang leaves. At school the next day, news of the fight spreads around school and the four’s notoriety increases. Theories run rampant, including a possible link to the Chinese mafia. They gradually expand into more and more dangerous scams, such as the theft of computer parts from the school and eventually, drugs. They become users themselves, and Ben begins to develop a heavy cocaine habit. They also throw wild parties at Daric's house, which results in their lives running wildly out of control.
Ben accompanies Steve to a batting cage after selling him drugs. Steve expresses to Ben that he knows he should be happy with what he has, but he is not. Instead, he feels stifled by the expectations that others have of him. He envies Ben’s freedom to choose his own path, because his own is already set out for him.
On his birthday, Ben wakes up with a nosebleed as a result of his cocaine use. This is enough to scare him into changing his life. He meets the remainder of the group and tells them that he wants to quit. Daric agrees with him, expressing that their operation has become a full time job. Daric presents a present from the three of them to Ben, wishing him a happy birthday, which is later revealed to be a gun. Virgil continues the operation on his own, but, without the influence of Daric or Ben, is soon discovered thanks to his own carelessness and bragging. Han is forced to take the blame for the cheat sheet operation and is suspended, but not before he proceeds to beat up Virgil.
Ben begins to rebuild his life, studying hard again and engaging in volunteer activities once more. He also begins to spend more time with Stephanie, who reveals a wild side of her own when she gives him a CD [Music You Hump To] that she shoplifted. Ben gathers up the courage to ask Stephanie to the formal, to which she agrees.
The four leave to Las Vegas for the Academic Decathlon championships. They enjoy the pleasures of Vegas until they are discovered to be underage. Daric hires a prostitute and the group proceeds to have sex with her, with Ben being the first. During his turn, Virgil pulls a gun on the prostitute and she storms off. Han berates him, but Virgil pulls the gun on him, resulting in Han angrily storming off. Despite the turmoil, the team wins the competition.
Ben and Stephanie attend the winter formal together and continue to get to know each other. During the formal, the two share a dance. The situation is made clear to Ben when Steve is seen outside of the formal, waiting to take Stephanie home. Ben expresses anger at his situation, as his feelings are getting more intense, but he is unable to pursue anything more.
On New Year's Eve, the four meet Steve at Jesus' house. With Ben acting as lookout, Han, Daric and Virgil begin attacking Steve. The lights go out as Virgil’s gun slips away from him. Steve lunges for the weapon and the struggle for the automatic results in it going off. Ben hears the shot and rushes into the garage. He arrives in time to see Steve winning the struggle for the gun, and Ben hits him with a bat. The frustration over his feelings for Stephanie and his own anger at Steve result in Ben beating Steve nearly to death, stopping only when Han yells to him. The four are stunned at what they just did and get Jesus to agree to allow them to bury the body in his backyard for $300. Steve begins to twitch. Daric soaks a rag in gasoline and, with a tearful Virgil holding him, suffocates Steve with it.
Afterwards, the four go to a New Year's party, where they each split up. Ben sees Stephanie, who is upset that Steve has not shown up. The pair share a kiss at midnight, to which Stephanie tells an apologetic Ben that it is okay.
With the group now permanently separated, Ben is alone at school. He goes to the basketball court but is unable to attempt a shot. On his way home, Stephanie pulls over in her new car and picks him up. She asks him whether he has seen Steve lately, and expresses some concern that he has not called. They kiss, implying she and Ben will continue their relationship. As they drive off, Ben's voice over tells the audience that he has no idea what is going to happen or what the other guys will do but all he knows is that there is no turning back.
Originally the film was going to be shot in digital video, but within two weeks, after Fujifilm
and later Kodak proposed deals with the director, the filming switched to 35mm.
, the character of Han Seoul-Oh, played by Sung Kang, makes an appearance in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
, Fast & Furious and Fast Five, all of which were also directed by Justin Lin. In Fast Five, Gisele Yashar attributes Han's constant need to occupy his hands to him being a former smoker, referring to his habits in this film, an easter egg reference according to Lin's commentary.
Official Selection - Toronto International Film Festival - 2002
Grand Jury Prize Nomination - Sundance Film Festival - 2002
Independent Spirit Awards - John Cassavetes Award Nomination - 2004
.
Crime film
Crime films are films which focus on the lives of criminals. The stylistic approach to a crime film varies from realistic portrayals of real-life criminal figures, to the far-fetched evil doings of imaginary arch-villains. Criminal acts are almost always glorified in these movies.- Plays and films...
-drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
directed by Justin Lin
Justin Lin
Justin Lin is a Taiwanese American film director, best known for his work on Better Luck Tomorrow, The Fast and the Furious franchise and the television show, Community.-Life and career:...
. The movie is about Asian American
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
overachievers who become bored with their lives and enter a world of petty crime and material excess. Better Luck Tomorrow introduced Karin Anna Cheung
Karin Anna Cheung
Karin Anna Cheung is an American actress, singer/songwriter, and artist. She was born in Los Angeles, California. Her first audition for feature films landed her the female lead role in Better Luck Tomorrow directed by Justin Lin...
to film audiences and a cast including Parry Shen
Parry Shen
-Early life:He was educated at Archbishop Molloy High School, then an all boys, Roman Catholic school in Briarwood, in Queens, New York, and at the University at Buffalo. When he moved to California he worked as a dorm parent at Villanova Preparatory School, a private college preparatory school in...
, Sung Kang
Sung Kang
Sung Kang is an American actor, known for his role as Han Seoul-Oh in the films Better Luck Tomorrow, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, and Fast Five....
, Jason Tobin
Jason Tobin
Jason Tobin, credited in Chinese as To Jun Wai , is a British-Chinese film and television actor.-Early life:He was born in Hong Kong where he attended the King George V School in Kowloon, Hong Kong; he is of mixed ancestry, being half English and half Chinese.-Partial filmography:His film...
, Roger Fan
Roger Fan
Roger Fan is an American actor of film, theatre and episodic television best known for his collaborations with Justin Lin and his appearances in the films Annapolis and Better Luck Tomorrow....
and John Cho
John Cho
John Yohan Cho is an American actor and musician, best known for his roles in the American Pie films and the Harold & Kumar films . He also starred in the critically acclaimed hit film Better Luck Tomorrow...
.
The film was based loosely on the murder of Stuart Tay, a teenager from Tustin, California
Tustin, California
-Top employers:According to the City's 2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Tustin had a population of 75,540. The population density was 6,816.7 people per square mile...
, by four Sunny Hills High School
Sunny Hills High School
Sunny Hills High School is a public high school located in Fullerton, California, USA. Established in 1959, it is part of the Fullerton Joint Union High School District....
honor students on December 31, 1992, in nearby Fullerton
Fullerton, California
Fullerton is a city located in northern Orange County, California. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 135,161.It was founded in 1887 by George and Edward Amerige and named for George H. Fullerton, who secured the land on behalf of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway...
.
In its first ever film acquisition, MTV Films
MTV Films
MTV Films is the motion picture production arm of cable channel MTV. Founded in 1996, it has produced films based on MTV programs such as Beavis and Butt-head Do America and Jackass: The Movie, as well as other adaptations and original projects. Its films are released by fellow Viacom division...
eventually acquired Better Luck Tomorrow after it debuted at The Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
. After meeting at the National Association of Broadcasters
National Association of Broadcasters
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association, workers union, and lobby group representing the interests of for-profit, over-the-air radio and television broadcasters in the United States...
convention in Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
in April 2001, MC Hammer
MC Hammer
Stanley Kirk Burrell , better known by his stage name MC Hammer , is an American rapper, entertainer, business entrepreneur, dancer and actor. He had his greatest commercial success and popularity from the late 1980s until the mid-1990s...
(credited as a producer) provided the much needed funding to the filmmaker Justin Lin for this film. The director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
said, "Out of desperation, I called up MC Hammer because he had read the script and liked it. Two hours later, he wired the money we needed into a bank account and saved us."
Plot
Ben Manibag (Parry ShenParry Shen
-Early life:He was educated at Archbishop Molloy High School, then an all boys, Roman Catholic school in Briarwood, in Queens, New York, and at the University at Buffalo. When he moved to California he worked as a dorm parent at Villanova Preparatory School, a private college preparatory school in...
) and his friend Virgil Hu (Jason Tobin
Jason Tobin
Jason Tobin, credited in Chinese as To Jun Wai , is a British-Chinese film and television actor.-Early life:He was born in Hong Kong where he attended the King George V School in Kowloon, Hong Kong; he is of mixed ancestry, being half English and half Chinese.-Partial filmography:His film...
) are lying in the sun discussing college admissions. A cell phone ring tone is heard, and the two crawl along the grass, digging into the turf and discover a human hand.
Four months earlier
Ben and Virgil are the quintessential Asian Americans, seen as highly intelligent overachievers whose only goal is to gain acceptance into the highly prestigious Ivy League universities. In fact, Ben learns a new SAT vocabulary word every night through rote memorization and recitation. These words act as the dividers between different chapters of Ben's life. In reality, Ben reveals that he in fact uses his perfectionism in order to act out in other ways, such as toilet papering houses with Virgil and other petty crimes. Part of these activities include the purchase and return of computer equipment with Virgil, and Virgil's cousin Han Seoul-Oh (Sung KangSung Kang
Sung Kang is an American actor, known for his role as Han Seoul-Oh in the films Better Luck Tomorrow, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, and Fast Five....
) to earn easy money. Ben is involved in many of the school clubs, all of which are being used to pad his college application. He eventually tries out for the basketball team and makes the team, though he soon discovers that he is merely a bench player. In the meantime, Ben develops a crush on his new lab partner, Stephanie Vandergosh (Karin Anna Cheung
Karin Anna Cheung
Karin Anna Cheung is an American actress, singer/songwriter, and artist. She was born in Los Angeles, California. Her first audition for feature films landed her the female lead role in Better Luck Tomorrow directed by Justin Lin...
), a girl of Asian descent who appears to have been adopted by a white family.
Daric
During practice, Ben is approached by Daric Loo (Roger FanRoger Fan
Roger Fan is an American actor of film, theatre and episodic television best known for his collaborations with Justin Lin and his appearances in the films Annapolis and Better Luck Tomorrow....
), the senior valedictorian and the president of nearly every student club. He asks to interview Ben for a newspaper article, asking Ben about being on the team solely due to affirmative action. Ben becomes aggravated at the interview and Daric ends it with some photos. The article is published, resulting in a small group of students protesting the coach’s tokenism at every game. Both Ben and the coach are mortified, and despite an increase in playing time, Ben quits the team.
Daric later shows up at Ben's job at a fast food restaurant. Daric tries to dismiss the incident, but Ben is still angry. Before leaving, he gives Ben a sheet of paper, telling him that he would receive $50 if he finished it by the next day. While Ben at first attempts to dismiss it, he eventually completes it, giving it to Daric the next day.
Ben soon discovers that Daric is running a cheat-sheet operation. He pays Jesus, another student, to break into the faculty office and steal the tests, then proceeds to sell off the cheat sheets to students. Ben is brought into the operation, as are Virgil and Han. The four of them make a small fortune by the operation.
Meanwhile, Ben has fallen in love with Stephanie. He discovers that her boyfriend, Steve Choe (John Cho
John Cho
John Yohan Cho is an American actor and musician, best known for his roles in the American Pie films and the Harold & Kumar films . He also starred in the critically acclaimed hit film Better Luck Tomorrow...
), who is rich and arrogant, does not seem to appreciate her. Steve discovers Ben's crush and offers to let him take her to the Winter Formal. Ben is confused by the offer and declines, stating that that is Steve's job. He becomes incensed when Stephanie later confronts him with the knowledge.
Escalation
Ben soon discovers his life becoming more and more out of control. As a member of the Academic Decathlon team with Daric, Virgil and Han, the practices at Daric's house devolve into drinking parties. The team fails miserably at their first competition, but Ben observes Steve with another girl. Ben later confronts Steve, telling him that he will not tell her his secret, but that she deserves better. Daric later attempts to go on a date with Stephanie, only to discover (to the remainder of the group's amusement) that the date is in fact a double date.Later, the group, now intoxicated, arrive at a party, where they are accosted by a football player who mocks them for their perfect image. A fight results in Daric pulling out a gun, stopping the fight. Daric, Virgil and Ben kick the fallen football player mercilessly before leaving the party. Virgil later expresses the rush he felt from the experience, while the remainder of the group observe a gang of cholo
Cholo
Cholo is an ethnic slur created by Hispanic criollos in the 16th century, and it has been applied to individuals of mixed or pure American Indian ancestry, or other racially mixed origin. The precise usage of "cholo" has varied widely in different times and places...
s in the next lane over. Virgil eventually falls into tears over the possible fallout from the event and the rest of the group is relieved when the gang leaves. At school the next day, news of the fight spreads around school and the four’s notoriety increases. Theories run rampant, including a possible link to the Chinese mafia. They gradually expand into more and more dangerous scams, such as the theft of computer parts from the school and eventually, drugs. They become users themselves, and Ben begins to develop a heavy cocaine habit. They also throw wild parties at Daric's house, which results in their lives running wildly out of control.
Ben accompanies Steve to a batting cage after selling him drugs. Steve expresses to Ben that he knows he should be happy with what he has, but he is not. Instead, he feels stifled by the expectations that others have of him. He envies Ben’s freedom to choose his own path, because his own is already set out for him.
On his birthday, Ben wakes up with a nosebleed as a result of his cocaine use. This is enough to scare him into changing his life. He meets the remainder of the group and tells them that he wants to quit. Daric agrees with him, expressing that their operation has become a full time job. Daric presents a present from the three of them to Ben, wishing him a happy birthday, which is later revealed to be a gun. Virgil continues the operation on his own, but, without the influence of Daric or Ben, is soon discovered thanks to his own carelessness and bragging. Han is forced to take the blame for the cheat sheet operation and is suspended, but not before he proceeds to beat up Virgil.
Ben begins to rebuild his life, studying hard again and engaging in volunteer activities once more. He also begins to spend more time with Stephanie, who reveals a wild side of her own when she gives him a CD [Music You Hump To] that she shoplifted. Ben gathers up the courage to ask Stephanie to the formal, to which she agrees.
The four leave to Las Vegas for the Academic Decathlon championships. They enjoy the pleasures of Vegas until they are discovered to be underage. Daric hires a prostitute and the group proceeds to have sex with her, with Ben being the first. During his turn, Virgil pulls a gun on the prostitute and she storms off. Han berates him, but Virgil pulls the gun on him, resulting in Han angrily storming off. Despite the turmoil, the team wins the competition.
Ben and Stephanie attend the winter formal together and continue to get to know each other. During the formal, the two share a dance. The situation is made clear to Ben when Steve is seen outside of the formal, waiting to take Stephanie home. Ben expresses anger at his situation, as his feelings are getting more intense, but he is unable to pursue anything more.
Murder
Steve meets Ben at the basketball court and tells him that he has information on a possible score. Though Ben is reluctant to re-enter his previous activities, he gathers up the group once more and meets Steve at his home. The group is stunned when they are informed that Steve wants them to rob his parents' house. He refers to it as a wake-up call. Ben and Han are against the plan, but Daric convinces them to participate, saying that this would be the perfect opportunity to give Steve his wake-up call. They agree Steve’s plan and practice constantly. They also agree to purchase Steve a gun.On New Year's Eve, the four meet Steve at Jesus' house. With Ben acting as lookout, Han, Daric and Virgil begin attacking Steve. The lights go out as Virgil’s gun slips away from him. Steve lunges for the weapon and the struggle for the automatic results in it going off. Ben hears the shot and rushes into the garage. He arrives in time to see Steve winning the struggle for the gun, and Ben hits him with a bat. The frustration over his feelings for Stephanie and his own anger at Steve result in Ben beating Steve nearly to death, stopping only when Han yells to him. The four are stunned at what they just did and get Jesus to agree to allow them to bury the body in his backyard for $300. Steve begins to twitch. Daric soaks a rag in gasoline and, with a tearful Virgil holding him, suffocates Steve with it.
Afterwards, the four go to a New Year's party, where they each split up. Ben sees Stephanie, who is upset that Steve has not shown up. The pair share a kiss at midnight, to which Stephanie tells an apologetic Ben that it is okay.
Present day
The cell phone ring tone came from Steve's phone, which shows that the missed call was from Stephanie. Ben debates about whether or not to report Steve's murder to the police. The knowledge of his role in the murder is too much for Virgil, who attempts to commit suicide after calling over Han under the premise of watching some pornography. He survived the gunshot wound, but will most likely suffer brain damage. Daric arrives shortly after Ben, makes a flippant remark that angers Han and Ben escorts him out of the room. Daric expresses concern about the possibility of Han or Virgil revealing their secret. Ben simply resolves to do nothing and leaves Daric alone.With the group now permanently separated, Ben is alone at school. He goes to the basketball court but is unable to attempt a shot. On his way home, Stephanie pulls over in her new car and picks him up. She asks him whether he has seen Steve lately, and expresses some concern that he has not called. They kiss, implying she and Ben will continue their relationship. As they drive off, Ben's voice over tells the audience that he has no idea what is going to happen or what the other guys will do but all he knows is that there is no turning back.
Development
Lin said that the title "Better Luck Tomorrow" refers to how the film explores "the whole youth culture of today, specifically Asian American, but also just the general mentality of teenagers today. I mean, I work with teenagers, I grew up in the 80s, and already it's very different, the mentality. You go to suburbia, you look at upper middle class kids, and through the media they've literally adopted urban gangsta mentality."Originally the film was going to be shot in digital video, but within two weeks, after Fujifilm
Fujifilm
is a multinational photography and imaging company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan.Fujifilm's principal activities are the development, production, sale and servicing of color photographic film, digital cameras, photofinishing equipment, color paper, photofinishing chemicals, medical imaging...
and later Kodak proposed deals with the director, the filming switched to 35mm.
Cast
- Parry ShenParry Shen-Early life:He was educated at Archbishop Molloy High School, then an all boys, Roman Catholic school in Briarwood, in Queens, New York, and at the University at Buffalo. When he moved to California he worked as a dorm parent at Villanova Preparatory School, a private college preparatory school in...
as Ben Manibag - Sung KangSung KangSung Kang is an American actor, known for his role as Han Seoul-Oh in the films Better Luck Tomorrow, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, and Fast Five....
as Han Seoul-Oh - Jason TobinJason TobinJason Tobin, credited in Chinese as To Jun Wai , is a British-Chinese film and television actor.-Early life:He was born in Hong Kong where he attended the King George V School in Kowloon, Hong Kong; he is of mixed ancestry, being half English and half Chinese.-Partial filmography:His film...
as Virgil Hu - Roger FanRoger FanRoger Fan is an American actor of film, theatre and episodic television best known for his collaborations with Justin Lin and his appearances in the films Annapolis and Better Luck Tomorrow....
as Daric Loo - John ChoJohn ChoJohn Yohan Cho is an American actor and musician, best known for his roles in the American Pie films and the Harold & Kumar films . He also starred in the critically acclaimed hit film Better Luck Tomorrow...
as Steve Choe - Karin Anna CheungKarin Anna CheungKarin Anna Cheung is an American actress, singer/songwriter, and artist. She was born in Los Angeles, California. Her first audition for feature films landed her the female lead role in Better Luck Tomorrow directed by Justin Lin...
as Stephanie Vandergosh
Related films
Although Better Luck Tomorrow is not officially part of The Fast and the Furious film seriesThe Fast and the Furious (film series)
The Fast and the Furious is a series of action films that focuses on street racing and heists. Produced by Universal Studios, the series was established in 2001 with the eponymous first installment, which has since been followed by four sequels, and two short films that tie into the series...
, the character of Han Seoul-Oh, played by Sung Kang, makes an appearance in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift
The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift is a 2006 street racing action film directed by Justin Lin. It is the third installment in the The Fast and the Furious film series and currently the sixth in terms of series chronology...
, Fast & Furious and Fast Five, all of which were also directed by Justin Lin. In Fast Five, Gisele Yashar attributes Han's constant need to occupy his hands to him being a former smoker, referring to his habits in this film, an easter egg reference according to Lin's commentary.
Awards and film festivals
Official Selection - Sundance Film Festival - 2002Official Selection - Toronto International Film Festival - 2002
Grand Jury Prize Nomination - Sundance Film Festival - 2002
Independent Spirit Awards - John Cassavetes Award Nomination - 2004
Critical reception
Better Luck Tomorrow was rated "Certified fresh" with a score of 80% based on 95 reviews the review aggregation website Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
.