a non-hero based gangster/coming-of-age film

At some times amusing and at others horrific, "About July" examines a month or so in the life of a fourteen year-old boy with big aspirations that eventually come crashing down on him. We watch him rehearsing phrases in the mirror, attempting to construct the perfect gangster identity in scenes reminiscent of "Boogie Nights" and "La Haine."

Early in the film, the boy is given a chance to work for a local gangster Ah Ming and becomes the doorman and lookout for his illegal gambling house. While there he picks up smoking, much to his mother's chagrin and also begins to develop an interest in women (he begins to spy on the different gangsters as they bed their women in the back room). However, he also picks up a lack of respect for women as demonstrated in the way that he treats his mother and grandmother. In this aspect, and through the frequent use of point of view shots) the filmmaker provides a strikingly unglorious and almost dirty depiction of the mind (and actions) of a pubescent male.

 I really liked that this film focused on a brief but important time in the young boy's life. It sets it apart from other films that examine the life of gangsters that have more of an "epic" cast to their narratives. The story is very straightforward, which allows for the main character to be highly developed. And as a whole, he is a mixture of both likeable and unlikeable traits. I would hesitate to call the film realist but I would say that it is a breath of fresh air from the sensationalistic portrayals of gangster life that are the norm in the genre (not that there is anything wrong with those films).

Mandarin-language cinema across Mainland China, Taiwan, and Singapore explores historical reflection, cultural identity, and personal sacrifice, often expressed through poetic visuals and sweeping narratives. In Mainland China, this takes the form of allegory and large-scale epics that reflect on national history. Taiwan emphasizes intimate modernist realism, generational change, and the search for identity. Singapore contributes stories of migration, multiculturalism, and the negotiation of tradition in a globalized city.

The crime genre features criminal activities, investigations, law enforcement, crimes, and the pursuit of justice. Crime stories often revolve around the planning, execution, and consequences of criminal acts, as well as the efforts to solve and prevent such acts. They explore various aspects of criminal behavior, motives, and the moral dilemmas faced by both perpetrators and those seeking to uphold the law.

James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)

The drama genre is a broad category that features stories portraying human experiences, emotions, conflicts, and relationships in a realistic and emotionally impactful way. Dramas delve into the complexities of human life, often exploring themes of love, loss, morality, societal issues, personal growth, with the aim to evoke an emotional response from the audience by presenting relatable and thought-provoking stories.

Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)

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