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SYNOPSIS:
3 Needles is a collection of three stories, set individually
in Africa, China and Canada. A testament to how the harshest
tragedy can sometimes bring out the best in people, each story
offers the bittersweet hope that redemption can be found in
the unlikeliest of places.
In South Africa, a nun risks all, including her salvation,
to help the helpless. In China, a father unwittingly gives
away his most precious possession for a few pieces of silver.
In North America, a mother makes the ultimate sacrifice to
ensure her son spends his remaining days in comfort.
MOVIE
REVIEW
It is
only apt for a film which deals somber themes to make a solemn
viewing experience. This Thom Fitzgerald-directed collection
of tales takes place in China, Canada and Africa. All three
stories look at the disheartening situations of worldwide
AIDS crises, and all three stories end on a grave note which
will leave you in dismal.
In China,
Lucy Liu is a woman who endangers the entire village by dabbling
in selling blood illegally. In Canada, Shawn Ashmore is a
porn actor who hides his blood test results at all costs.
In Africa, Chloe Sevigny is a young nun who does something
unthinkable to benefit the village.
From the
paragraph above, one can expect many sad faces and teary eyes
in the 127-minute movie. Heartrending performances by Liu,
Ashmore and Sevigny aside, we are also impressed with the
supporting cast like Tanabadee Chokpikultong who plays a rice
farmer whose conscience and love for his daughter are at tension,
Stockard Channing who plays the porn actor’s mother
with grace and empathy, and Olympia Dukakis who plays an experienced
old nun who ultimately meets doom despite her good deeds.
This film
may not be the best exploration of characters, nor will it
be the best writing you have seen around for a while, but
the seriousness of this global tragedy will make you sit up
and notice. There are real people out there who are suffering
from AIDS, and that is enough to send chills down your spines
while watching this film.
Of course,
given the three continents’ landscapes, you can expect
breathtaking cinematography by Tom Harting and affecting ethnic
score by Christophe Beck and Trevor Morris.
This
is definitely one of those films you’d watch for enjoyment,
but the themes explored are so relevant and real, it’ll
leave you thinking about what kind of real-life tragedies
going on outside your comfortable home.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
This Code 3 DVD contains three on-the-fly, unedited
interviews with Sevigny, Ashmore and Liu. In the 15-minute
clip with Sevigny, she tells the interviewer how she did not
want to portray a goofy-two-shoes nun. In the 32-minute segment
with Ashmore, he talks about how different it is to work on
smaller productions like this compared to Hollywood blockbusters
like X-Men 2. Meanwhile, in her 13 minutes, Liu shares how
her Asian heritage helped her in her role. There is also a
trailer included in the disc.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The disc’s visual transfer showcases the sweeping cinematography
brilliantly, while the audio track is presented in 2.0 Dolby
Digital Surround.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
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