- Actors: Adrian Martinez, Roland Uruci, Andrew Gurland, Eugenia Yuan, Deborah Teng
- Directors: Andrew Gurland, Huck Botko
- Writers: Andrew Gurland, Huck Botko
- Producers: Andrew Weiner, Avram Ludwig, Bo Hyde, Bobby Sheng
- Format: Colour, DVD-Video, NTSC
- Language English
- Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3 - 1.33:1
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: R (Restricted) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
- Studio: First Independent
- DVD Release Date: 27 Sep 2005
- Run Time: 92 minutes
- ASIN: B000AL72RI
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 107,206 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
63 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
a strong film
23 Aug 2006
Format:DVD
This movie is a classic example of how a great movie is not made by star power or cgi effects, but by a solid premise and splendid execution.
_Mail Order Wife_ is a movie about Andrew, a young and arrogant filmmaker, who decides he'd like to make a documentary about Adrian, an NYC boy who has decided to order himself a mail order bride. An immediate problem is presented when Andrew helps pay for Lichi, the Burmese woman, and brings up a classic dilemma about moviemaking also addressed in great films like _Man Bits Dog_--Andrew is already showing signs of getting involved with his subject matter a little too subjectively. This is reinforced after Lichi arrives and Adrian turns out to be much less than an ideal husband, and Andrew decides that he needs to rescue this woman from an awful situation.
This may sound like the premise of a light, romantic comedy, or a hackneyed Lifetime made-for-TV, but what I revealed so far is only the first 30 minutes of this 90-minute film, because things don't move along so easily, and that's because these characters aren't easily categorizable, which is also a sign of strong filmmaking. Andrew has his own problems, with an inordinate sense of 'normalcy' and an arrogance streak that leaves him, in his own mind, justified in everything he does. Adrian, though a twisted man, is somehow charmingly simple. And Lichi isn't simply a quiet, victimized Asian girl, but one who has her own ulterior motives.
_Mail Order Wife_ is a comedy with dark undertones--there are wonderfully subtle moves, like how Andrew is always carrying his director's notebook even when involved in 'personal' conversations, and (you've seen it in the credits above) a surprising appearance by Jose Canseco, but these are also very troubling characters, played by unfamiliar actors to help make the mock-documentary motif seem all the more plausible. The movie takes many unpredictable and sensible turns, that makes 90 minutes feel like a satisfyingly large glimpse into these people's lives.
I would highly recommend this film to many, and I relish in the fact that such a small budget can result in such a wonderful endeavor.
_Mail Order Wife_ is a movie about Andrew, a young and arrogant filmmaker, who decides he'd like to make a documentary about Adrian, an NYC boy who has decided to order himself a mail order bride. An immediate problem is presented when Andrew helps pay for Lichi, the Burmese woman, and brings up a classic dilemma about moviemaking also addressed in great films like _Man Bits Dog_--Andrew is already showing signs of getting involved with his subject matter a little too subjectively. This is reinforced after Lichi arrives and Adrian turns out to be much less than an ideal husband, and Andrew decides that he needs to rescue this woman from an awful situation.
This may sound like the premise of a light, romantic comedy, or a hackneyed Lifetime made-for-TV, but what I revealed so far is only the first 30 minutes of this 90-minute film, because things don't move along so easily, and that's because these characters aren't easily categorizable, which is also a sign of strong filmmaking. Andrew has his own problems, with an inordinate sense of 'normalcy' and an arrogance streak that leaves him, in his own mind, justified in everything he does. Adrian, though a twisted man, is somehow charmingly simple. And Lichi isn't simply a quiet, victimized Asian girl, but one who has her own ulterior motives.
_Mail Order Wife_ is a comedy with dark undertones--there are wonderfully subtle moves, like how Andrew is always carrying his director's notebook even when involved in 'personal' conversations, and (you've seen it in the credits above) a surprising appearance by Jose Canseco, but these are also very troubling characters, played by unfamiliar actors to help make the mock-documentary motif seem all the more plausible. The movie takes many unpredictable and sensible turns, that makes 90 minutes feel like a satisfyingly large glimpse into these people's lives.
I would highly recommend this film to many, and I relish in the fact that such a small budget can result in such a wonderful endeavor.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Completely Original!!!
6 Aug 2006
Format:DVD
I picked this up in the previously viewed DVD rack at my local Blockbuster store. I don't really know what motivated me to buy it because to be quite frank I assumed it would be awful. But, to my amazement, it was quite the opposite!
This very quirkly, completely original work is full of unexpected twists and turns, sometimes bordering on unbearably offensive and other times hysterically funny. The storyline is so audacious that I often found my mouth hanging open in disbelief. I was totally engaged by the story and the offbeat characters, and I too thought I was watching a documentary until the closing credits revealed that it was a totally fictional experience.
I won't go into the plot of this offbeat wonder, but I will say that I highly recommend it. It will stay with you long after it's over.
This very quirkly, completely original work is full of unexpected twists and turns, sometimes bordering on unbearably offensive and other times hysterically funny. The storyline is so audacious that I often found my mouth hanging open in disbelief. I was totally engaged by the story and the offbeat characters, and I too thought I was watching a documentary until the closing credits revealed that it was a totally fictional experience.
I won't go into the plot of this offbeat wonder, but I will say that I highly recommend it. It will stay with you long after it's over.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
If you can get over the darkness, you should enjoy this film.
21 Mar 2008
Format:DVD
If you are thinking that Mail Order Wife is another one of those zany comedies, you would be wrong. Put it back on the shelf and rent something else.
If however you like movies that make you think, and that work with you on many levels, then you may enjoy this indie sleeper.
When you break it down, Mail Order Wife is the story of three lonely people. All losers in some way whether by life, circumstance or simply character.
Adrian, the sad sack New York doorman, orders a mail order bride with the help of Andrew, a documentary film maker. When Lichi arrives she is quickly exploited first by Adrian, then by Andrew. Lichi who at first is vulnerable, quickly becomes and exploiter as well, though she may be forgiven given her circumstances.
This is a film where everyone is using everyone else, yet all seem oblivious to the fact of what they are doing.
What I did like about the movie is that you are never quite sure where it is going, and as it moved toward the climax I had no clue how it would end.
It is the morning after, and I am still thinking about this film.
Although the characters are not necessarily likeable,and their motivations are definitely not pure, any film that makes you think is a winner in my book.
Cheers!
If however you like movies that make you think, and that work with you on many levels, then you may enjoy this indie sleeper.
When you break it down, Mail Order Wife is the story of three lonely people. All losers in some way whether by life, circumstance or simply character.
Adrian, the sad sack New York doorman, orders a mail order bride with the help of Andrew, a documentary film maker. When Lichi arrives she is quickly exploited first by Adrian, then by Andrew. Lichi who at first is vulnerable, quickly becomes and exploiter as well, though she may be forgiven given her circumstances.
This is a film where everyone is using everyone else, yet all seem oblivious to the fact of what they are doing.
What I did like about the movie is that you are never quite sure where it is going, and as it moved toward the climax I had no clue how it would end.
It is the morning after, and I am still thinking about this film.
Although the characters are not necessarily likeable,and their motivations are definitely not pure, any film that makes you think is a winner in my book.
Cheers!
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