Year of the Fish is billed as "Cinderella in a Chinatown massage parlour." This fits: a young Chinese woman (seventeen) comes over to Chinatown (NY) to make money for her father back home in China (mother has died), but finds out that the "beauty parlor" she works in is actually a massage parlor. Refusing to partake, but still in debt (no mention if she is illegal; she appears to have a legitimate passport), she stays to do the grunt work. With the help of a mysterious old woman, who early on gives her the fish, she finds true love and happiness.
It is a fairly predictable but well acted fable with a good sense of place. It is also well acted, which might sound a bit off because it appears to be an animated film. But, it uses a special "rotoscope" method "defined as a technique where animators trace live-action film, frame-by-frame, for use in an animated film." So, in effect, they filmed it normally, but later on animated things. This has a neat look while also taking advantage of on location filming.
And, many films are predictable. This is why it's annoying when some reviewers denounce a film in such a fashion. It is basically lazy unless they do not like great films what are far from surprising plot-wise. The importance is the journey -- and you really care about the leads, and the mystical touches adds a nice flavor to the whole affair. Likewise, you even feel for some of the less savory characters, as well as one veteran of the parlor who still has some heart left. Good find.
Heather-The nicer, if more promiscuous Bitch. She is described by Eden as being around 5'4", with dirty blonde hair, wide green eyes, and pouty lips. Catherine calls her an anorexic whore. Eden says everything about her is perky.
Talking about good finds. Lol. A Hallmark movie led to a Internet Movie Database search of one of the leads. [As with links online in general, this can lead you to some interesting places.] She was a guest in a show with the catchy title Imaginary Bitches. The idea behind this set of internet minis is that Eden (Riegel), a soap actress in another life as our some of the other actresses involved, is depressed that all her friends seem to be hooked up and not having enough time for her.
So, after having great sex and not being able to tell anyone, she makes up two "friends" (who are rather bitchy ... and hilarious) to talk to. They also provide an outlet to lash out, the bitches clearly a reflection of some of her subconscious thoughts. Thus, when one of the bitches suggest her hooked up friends are "pod people," clearly Eden is probably the one who really thinks that. OTOH, one episode had someone who stole her former boyfriend have a vision of two pretty nasty sorts that were much like Catherine and Heather.
And, overall, Eden -- though a cutie and overall a nice person -- is clearly generally a bit of a nut with or without imaginary bitchy friends. Eden Riegel and company (including her hubby, also a face behind the scenes) are all very good. It is well acted and simply hilarious (if you like a bit of bite) at times. A reflection of some good online talent of this sort.