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‘The Kid From The Big Apple’ 2016 by Jess Teong: Movie Review

With so many accolades won from the recent 7th Macau International Movie Festival, which includes Best Writing, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Newcomer, I knew I must make time to catch the latest movie to hit our shores, 'The Kid From The Big Apple'. I had the opportunity to catch the press screening 2 days ago, way ahead of its public screening this 10th March 2016, and I must say, it's a really good movie, heartwarming and moving.

 ‘The Kid From The Big Apple’ by Jess Teong Movie Review
 ‘The Kid From The Big Apple’ by Jess Teong Movie Review



The Kid From The Big Apple

Catching the press screening early in the morning, ‘The Kid From The Big Apple’ runs 2 hours or so, but you will barely feel the length as it's really engaging. The movie is predominantly spoken in Mandarin and English, but fret not as there are multiple subtitles.


Sarah, who initially comes off as a spoilt brat
Sarah, who initially comes off as a spoilt brat

The movie kicks off with a scene showing Sarah (played by Tan Qin Lin), an 11-year-old girl who grew up in New York, forced by Sophia, the mother (Jessica Hester Hsuan) to come back to Malaysia and stay together with her conservative grandfather Gen (played by Ti Lung). The mother promptly heads off again back to China to work on her fashion career leaving the kid and her grandpa to stay together.


The fiercer side of Sarah
The fiercer side of Sarah
Her rather cute neighbour, Ah Bao (Jayson Tan)
Her rather cute neighbour, Ah Bao (Jayson Tan)


Essentially a movie about love, family bonding, and communication between the generations, the director for ‘The Kid From The Big Apple’, Jess Teong really brought out a poignant and touching message which really hits the spot. Throughout the movie, you get a thrill from the process of going from being strangers, hate to family, friends and love.

Children bonding
Children bonding
Grandpa Gen tending to Sarah's minor wounds
Grandpa Gen tending to Sarah's minor wounds

In the movie, we see how the relationship between grandpa Gen and Sarah grows day by day. The supporting cast did a great job too bringing some laughter and cheer to the movie, especially the neighbour's kid Ah Bao and his mother, Aunty Ming. Love how Ah Bao bonded with Sarah by speaking his broken English in the beginning of the movie.


Ah Bao and his family
Ah Bao and his family
Some martial arts elements were briefly shown in the movie as well
Some martial arts elements were briefly shown in the movie as well

Overall an awesome movie, with a tearjerking moment towards the end. A must-watch, so do remember to watch The Kid from the Big Apple movie when it hits all major cinemas this 10th March onwards. No wonder they won so many awards at the 7th Macau International Movie Festival.  Check out the trailer embedded below.

Sophia and her dad
Sophia and her dad



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