China Girl *** (1987, James Russo, Richard Panebianco, Sari Chang, David Caruso, Russell Wong) – Classic Movie Review 7894

Director Abel Ferrara’s 1987 romantic crime drama China Girl stars Richard Panebianco and Sari Chang as a pizza boy from a Mafia family and a girl from a Chinese street gang, who fall in love, but their friends try to keep them apart.

Ferrara’s crossover picture, moving from video nasties like The Driller Killer to popular success with Bad Lieutenant, transposes Romeo and Juliet to New York, where the complex social and geographical boundaries mean that the young couple’s love is taboo. Ace cinematographer Bojan Bazelli’s lighting and camerawork are beautiful, and an always involving film works best during the violent set pieces that pepper the story.

China Girl is a forceful, often compelling and believable movie, with lots of moody atmosphere and style.

Also in the cast are James Russo, David Caruso, Russell Wong, Joey Chin and James Hong.

China Girl is directed by Abel Ferrara, runs 90 minutes, is made by
Great American Films Limited Partnership, Street Lite and Vestron Pictures, is released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Nicholas St John, is shot by Bojan Bazelli, is produced by Michael Nazik and is scored by Joe Delia.

It was shot in just 40 days.

Panebianco won the lead role of Tony in China Girl after only his third professional audition after studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

© Derek Winnert 2018 Classic Movie Review 7894

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