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Andrew Gurland (L) & Adrian Martinez
Photo: First Independent Pictures/Dada Films

MAIL ORDER WIFE
Directed & Written by: Huck Botko & Andrew Gurland.
Produced by: Avram Ludwig, Kendall Morgan, Andrew Weiner & Nina Yang.
Director of Photography: Luke Geissbuhler.
Edited by: Kevin Napier.
Released by: First Independent Pictures & Dada Films.
Country of Origin: USA. 92 min. Rated: R.
With: Adrian Martinez, Andrew Gurland & Eugenia Yuan.

Andrew Gurland, a young documentary filmmaker, explores the quiet phenomenon of mail order brides. Adrian, a lonely Queens resident, agrees to be the subject of the film if Andrew and his crew pay for the bride. Lichi (Eugenia Yuan) arrives straight from Burma, and the filming seems to be running smoothly until Andrew objects to Adrian's sadistic treatment of Lichi and violates his role of an impartial observer. Treated like some kind of commodity, Lichi, a clean slate of sorts, soon takes on the same abrasive traits as the men, all caught on film

A dark comedy shot in cinéma vérité style, Mail Order Wife tells its sordid story with unprecedented realism. But it's the performances that go a long way towards making the film seem very real. Adrian Martinez fully inhabits his role as a twisted bachelor who puts his new bride through all sorts of cruel and unusual situations. (The scene where he makes her watch his pet snake eat a mouse ought to raise the collective temperature of PETA). And Eugenia Yuan is a real find as Lichi, who evolves from a naïve fish out of water to a shrieking nuisance. Co-director Gurland plays himself, but his performance frequently comes off as contrived.

Aside from the documentary feel, the movie also purports to be a comic satire. Unfortunately, once the film is examined outside of its impressive packaging, it becomes clear it falls short. It's a comedy without many laughs (excluding one hilarious scene where Lichi begins to collect toy pigs), and there isn't much satire either. The only message seems to be "Getting a mail-order wife is a bad idea." Mail Order Wife is a stunt that is sometimes compelling, but will likely leave a bad taste in your mouth. Rob Glidden
March 11, 2005

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