Bitter Melon (2018) User Reviews

More reasons not to go home for the holidays.

[farleym-19442 · 7/10 · 13 January 2019]

Perhaps for viewers with "normal" families this film may miss the mark. For me it relived the utter depression I used to feel going home for Christmas and resume picking at the scabs of my family life that never ever healed. Let's all eat and see if it medicated the pain....we have everything you ever liked and lots more.Facing the crap we have left behind and pretended was buried. Thanks Mr. Mendoza, I feel less alone now.

Witty Dark Comedy

[GilbertS-85 · 7/10 · 4 May 2020]

Super enjoyable, dark comedy. I also got the chance to see a community that I don't normally experience in movies. I enjoyed the performances, especially from Brian Rivera.

Engaging and original

[diamondintheroughfilms · 9/10 · 28 December 2018]

Bitter Melon is a fresh take on indie filmmaking that is consistently engaging and original throughout. The cast is diverse, the music score is haunting (especially the end credits song by the director himself) and the plot takes some nice twists and turns. It's a strong film from an original voice.

Funny and compelling

[brainwave-2 · 10/10 · 21 July 2018]

HP Mendoza is an amazing filmmaker who never let's you off easy. This film is a great look at a dysfunctional Filipino family coming together to confront old demons. Mendoza never lets you relax by saying simply: this is the bad guy, this is the good guy. Writing and performances are great. Well worth looking for.

wild, entertaining, dark and exceeding the odds

[MichelleMeow · 9/10 · 8 October 2020]

I love this film for a lot of reasons. Asians and API folks get boxed into stereotypes when it comes to specific genres. The roles are not necessarily diverse and taking risks with our imaginations as filmmakers aren't necessarily rewarded. I'm pleased with the fact that the filmmaker juxtaposes traumatic issues within a cultural framework that resonates with the audience as a whole. It's not easy to weave themes such as masculinity (including toxic masculinity), homophobia, misogyny, and domestic violence into storytelling that is entertaining, funny, dark, terrifying, and serious at the same time.

Timing is incredibly appreciated in this film. From the delivery and performance of the actors/actresses (you should know much was shot in single take) to the score, it's obvious the filmmaker is a genius- add his guerrilla-like filmmaking training from his DIY days. This kind of passion in filmmaking is far from the automated formats you see these days.

Be prepared for some monologues but from my perspective, it gives you the experience of live theater- something I'm sure we're all missing these days.

The references to SF Bay Area Filipinos, 90's API love, and Filipino food and culture is on spot. A film to be proud of no matter who you are.

Easily my favorite dysfunctiona family since The Royal Tenenbaums

[donavonbray · 10/10 · 8 October 2020]

A beautiful story about family, and the importance of second chances. Go in with an open mind. This film may not have the budget of something like "Knives Out" or "The Royal Tenenbaums", but it packs just as much character drama and twists as either, all in the span of 95 minutes. H.P. Mendoza is a master of maximizing a small budget, and this film is truly something special if you allow yourself to overlook what may be perceived as technical shortcomings and just let it wash over you.