MDMA

Well scripted and well acted, MDMA is worth watching, and Angie Wang deserves kudos for writing, directing, and producing this autobiopic. Annie Q emoted more than most actors ever will and had great chemistry (pun intended) with Francesca Eastwood. (I'm glad I didn't know "Neen" was Clint-the-Gunslinger's kid until after the movie's end, or I would've pre-judged her). The story arc worked, and I enjoyed the inclusion of Adam Ant's music (though I could have stood for more 80s tunes throughout the film). Epilogues would have given the audience some needed satisfaction.

This movie is very very bad. And not bad like the "so bad it's good", it's beyond that point. It is laughably simplistic and absurdly boring. A mash up of what someone obviously thinks being a drug dealer is like from watching the discovery channel. This is not due to the main character being an Asian woman. That's actually why I watched it. I would love to watch a good movie breaking stereotypes with an Asian female lead. But this is NOT that movie. From the start, stuff just.... happens. Dramatic subplots pop up now and then, and they seem inserted just to fill in plot holes and backstory. It takes a certain lack of talent to put so many things in a blender and end up with something so painfully boring. There's no rhythm, and the community-access-TV-grade direction helps nothing. It also doesn't help that what passes for acting here seems more like reading. I can't believe someone would fund this project after reading the screen play. It is a work completely devoid of wit, style, intelligence or even basic entertainment. I found it my civic duty to create an IMDB account just to warn any potential viewers.

I have read some of the reviews that have trashed this movies, and I'm guessing they are written by men. While the movie is not perfect, the story is actually based on true events and to dismiss a persons very real-life trials, including traumatic events such as rape and absent parents, shows whoever wrote these reviews has no idea what the real world is about. As a movie, it could have been a little more consistent in the time lines and explaining how she got to the point of desparation, but overall, this story is worth listening too. Angie Wang did an excellent job of directing overall and making the viewer understand from where she comes. This is not a "drug movie," it is a movie about a poor minority who must do bad things to achieve what the more fortunate have. It shows that regardless of where you come, to wit, her roommate, a white, priveledged female, everyone has problems.

My wife and I started watching this at home on DVD from our public library. After 11 minutes she said "I'm not really enjoying this" so we switched to a lightweight rom-com.

The next day I finished watching it myself. Many of the "reviews" here are unfair, the movie actually has a lot of positive things to offer. The problem is, the movie is about mostly despicable people exhibiting despicable behavior in 1984. Lots of drugs, sex, and booze. Instead of focusing on college studies. But apparently it is a fairly faithful telling of the writer/director's own experiences.

The movie has no value if there is no redemption and it appears there is. Angie is a Chinese American who grew up in a bad neighborhood, apparently experienced some sex abuse growing up, had been raped by local young men, and her father didn't have the ability to tell her he loved her. As a result of all those factors she was a hardened young lady who found it difficult to form relationships. When her college money ran dry she hit upon the idea to sneak into the chemistry lab and synthesize MDMA, the drug ecstasy.

Is the movie worth viewing? Not for those who like a rather clean, sanitary story. While this will not be a favorite of mine, and I would never want to rewatch it, I am glad I was able to see it once. It shows a slice of life that I am otherwise unfamiliar with.

One of the more narrow minded reviewers challenged others to make it through 10 minutes of this movie. well i watched the whole thing and was pleasantly surprised, maybe if they had the patience they would have realized this this movie was actually quite good. they told the story of Angie very well and made the viewer feel for her. the acting was mostly good and the story had its ups and downs to keep you glued.

6.5