Blue Bayou Parent Guide

Adopted as an infant from Korea in the 1980s, Antonio LeBlanc (Justin Chon) has lived his whole life in Louisiana. He has a wife, Kathy (Alicia Vikander), a step-daughter, Jessie (Sydney Kowalske), and another child on the way – reason enough to feel stressed. His work as a tattoo artist doesn’t cover his expenses, and it’s almost impossible for him to find another job thanks to some felony charges from his youth. Just when he thinks things can’t get worst, he gets involved in a scuffle with a power-tripping cop who refers him to ICE. Although he was adopted by Americans and raised in the United States, his adoptive parents never properly filed his citizenship papers. Facing separation from his family and deportation back to Korea, Antonio’s only hope is to convince a judge he belongs in America. Sadly, lawyers aren’t cheap, and Antonio is barely making ends meet as it is…

Blue Bayou isn’t a movie for the gentlehearted. Antonio’s life is harrowing and emotionally fraught, and nothing that happens to him makes it any easier. It’s all the more difficult to watch because Antonio is a kind-hearted, charming guy, and an excellent father to Jessie – all of which makes his hardships more affecting. If bad things happening to good people bothers you, you’re really going to have a rough time with this movie.

The writing isn’t subtle, but it doesn’t need to be. America’s aggressive and inhumane deportation policy isn’t subtle either, and the effects it has on families and communities is devastating. Watching Antonio and his family struggle for a slim chance at staying together should help bring that hardship home to people – something lead actor, writer, and director Justin Chon clearly intended in his performance.

Of course, Blue Bayou isn’t for everyone – and not just the tenderhearted. There are 68 sexual expletives, which will deter more than a few potential viewers, plus some unsettling references to an attempted infanticide and violent domestic abuse. Like I said, this isn’t a fun movie.

Problems aside, the movie is earnest, well-intentioned, and not particularly preachy – always a bonus for a film so focused on social problems. It is also well acted, with touching performances from Chon and Vikander, and a surprisingly charming effort from Sydney Kowalske. I do think this is a good movie and worth watching but be prepared for some heartbreak and a whole lot of cussing.