Same Old (2022)

In the throes of a pandemic, one delivery driver, Lu (Limin Wang), manages to find himself in the midst of what might be described as the worst night ever. He’s a delivery driver, and it seems that at every turn, some new obstacle rears its ugly head and throws Lu for a loop. Same Old is a story of struggle, determination, and necessity like you’ve never seen. As Lu comes to terms with his reality, he will be forced to reevaluate every single thing that he knows.

Lu is almost always seen looking down, and this wonderfully represents both the narrative and the struggles that we face in the real world. We know that it can sometimes be difficult to feel equal to or superior to others, and that the struggles we face on a daily basis can often drag us down, causing us to feel inferior or even worthless. That’s what viewers see here throughout the course of Same Old. Lu represents the monotony of life and the horrific things that we are forced to face each and every day–and his unrelenting ability to constantly stare at the ground, often unable to face the reality of the hardships in his life, mirrors that sentiment with grace and vigor.

Wang is tasked with being relatively monotone throughout the duration of Same Old, and that, too, plays into the monotony, the never-ending struggle that the character faces throughout the film. He’s brilliant in his performance–always finding the perfect amount of emotion. He’s never excited, and yet, through all of the hardships that he faces throughout the course of Same Old, he manages not to exude too much depression either. He’s found a balance that he’s able to maintain throughout, and that plays a pivotal role in the tone and mood of Same Old. Wang is a major reason why viewers are able to understand and appreciate all that is being said and done throughout the film, and he should be commended for the expertise that he brings to the table.

Darkness transcends the entirety of Same Old. It’s used to help viewers understand and appreciate all that is being said and done. While that darkness always sits front and center, there’s always just a little bit of light lingering in the background. Same Old is incredibly depressing, and, again, it works well to remind viewers that the hardships can be crippling–but it always gives viewers a glimmer of hope. That tinge of light that always manages to make its way on screen represents just that, and each instance of this light is beautifully constructed–always illuminating something in just the right way, reminding viewers of the potential of Lu, even in his darkest moments.

Same Old explores life and death in a series of unique ways–but the truth always makes its way to the forefront. The film is short and simple, and it gets right to the point in a subtle fashion. There’s no doubt the struggles that Lu faces throughout, and everyone is able to understand what’s being said. While Lu’s emotions always sit right on the surface, Same Old requires viewers to dig just a little bit, and make connections to their own lives. Same Old works exactly the way that I believe it was intended; emotion is fully understood, and a mirror is held up to us and the most challenging moments of our lives.

Written & Directed by Lloyd Lee Choi.

Starring Limin Wang, Maggie Law, Anna Wang, Lei Han, Hung Mao Lin, etc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10