Face

Face becomes a study of the immigrant embrace of freedom in America - a bridge built over time and generations.

The director's attention to details of character and locale makes for a precise evocation of a New York seldom seen in feature films.

Well-intentioned but muddled, Face groans under the weight of its earnest ambition.

Though the clash between old-world parents and their American-born children is familiar territory, New Jersey-born, Taiwan-raised director/cowriter Bay-Sa Pan gives the conflict a culturally particular spin and elicits strong performances from her appealing cast.

Never really finds a fresh groove.

Only at the end, when one of the principals makes a decision you don't see coming, does Face fleetingly weigh in as a movie you haven't seen a thousand times before at ethnically correct film festivals.

No amount of goodwill can rescue Face from its painfully literal script and acting that's all about projecting recognizable attitude rather than drawing in viewers.