Take Out

Sean Baker and Shih-Ching Tsou co-directed this astonishing neo-realist-style examination of a Chinese immigrant experiencing the worst that New York City can offer. Ming Ding is awakened one rainy morning in his squalid apartment by a pair of thuggish loan sharks who demand that he immediately pay the $800 fee owed to the smugglers who brought him into the U.S. Ming, who works as a deliveryman for a Chinese restaurant, bicycles tirelessly through a storm-swept 10-hour workday to earn enough money to cover his debt and the expenses run up by his brother, who has also come to New York. Charles Jang, in his first starring role, gives a remarkably nuanced performance as the indefatigable Ming, who stoically copes with an endless number of indignities from his customers, employers, and the weather, while keeping focused on his seemingly impossible task. The film's bare bones guerrilla style, wonderfully shot and edited by Baker, brilliantly captures the harsh and unrewarding world of someone who has yet to experience any of the rewards that attract so many to this country. Original, disturbing, and memorable, Take Out is highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary (by co-directors Baker and Tsou, and actor Charles Jang), cast and crew interviews (18 min.), deleted scenes (7 min.), Jang's audition test (2 min.), a stills gallery, and a trailer. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a winning film.] (P. Hall)