An International Affair

Victor Vu’s Passport to Love opens in the U.S.

While it prides itself for being an international fair, Victor Vu’s Passport to Love doesn’t stray far from the predictable Hollywood romantic comedy formula. Womanizing lead character who finally meets his female match: check. The love triangle featuring the sweet girlfriend and the evil other woman: check. The neat, happy ending…ok, here’s where the Passport to Love goes a little beyond convention.

Khang, a womanizing playboy, and his Bill Gates-obsessed best friend Hieu are sent to the United States for a coveted American college degree. Meanwhile earnest, hardworking Hieu leaves behind his sweet fiancée Thao in Ho Chi Minh City. Once in America, both men’s lives take dramatic turns. Khang meets Tiffany, a cop/single mother who’s as tough-minded as she is beautiful. Hieu finds himself torn between the tempting beauty queen Jennifer and his loyal fiancée. When his mother falls ill, Jennifer follows him to Vietnam where all drama breaks loose.

Shot on location in both Vietnam and Orange County, the film tries hard in offering a sincere perspective on growing up, love and culture clash. While I didn’t expect much, the film offered some funny, tender moments. Charming and gorgeous Kathy Uyen gives a charismatic and natural performance as Tiffany. While there are still elements of the usual romantic comedy formula – Khang and Tiffany’s romance follows the predictable path—the love triangle between Hieu, Thao and Jennifer leads us to an unexpected, though unsatisfying ending.

Passport to Love offers the cultural references and inside jokes most Vietnamese and any pho-loving audience will dig. If you like your usual romance and comedy, Passport to Love has it…and a little more.

by: Hazel Lodevico