User Reviews

One of the more narrow minded reviewers challenged others to make it through 10 minutes of this movie. well i watched the whole thing and was pleasantly surprised, maybe if they had the patience they would have realized this this movie was actually quite good. they told the story of Angie very well and made the viewer feel for her. the acting was mostly good and the story had its ups and downs to keep you glued.

6.5

I sawJohn Hughes mentioned in Metacritic. I'm still trying to recover from that blaspheme. This was a DNF. I think actually, I may have failed to check the reviews before I watched. This was available as a selection on a free 2 week premium channel. Thank goodness for small mercies.

My wife and I started watching this at home on DVD from our public library. After 11 minutes she said "I'm not really enjoying this" so we switched to a lightweight rom-com.

The next day I finished watching it myself. Many of the "reviews" here are unfair, the movie actually has a lot of positive things to offer. The problem is, the movie is about mostly despicable people exhibiting despicable behavior in 1984. Lots of drugs, sex, and booze. Instead of focusing on college studies. But apparently it is a fairly faithful telling of the writer/director's own experiences.

The movie has no value if there is no redemption and it appears there is. Angie is a Chinese American who grew up in a bad neighborhood, apparently experienced some sex abuse growing up, had been raped by local young men, and her father didn't have the ability to tell her he loved her. As a result of all those factors she was a hardened young lady who found it difficult to form relationships. When her college money ran dry she hit upon the idea to sneak into the chemistry lab and synthesize MDMA, the drug ecstasy.

Is the movie worth viewing? Not for those who like a rather clean, sanitary story. While this will not be a favorite of mine, and I would never want to rewatch it, I am glad I was able to see it once. It shows a slice of life that I am otherwise unfamiliar with.

First of all that's in reference to a reviewer actually saying that there's one or two people writing bad reviews. It also screwed up the headline I wanted to use which was: an inspiration for all who think they're not good enough to make it in Hollywood I was just irritated by that comment. But there's something good about that. That comment is the perfect thing gauge if you should watch this movie or pass. If you read that comment and you didn't understand or didn't think it was an assinine comment, then this movie is the one for you. You'll love it. If you noticed that all the "positive" reviews, Wow there are way more there should be, description of why they liked it has nothing to do with what's important when making a good movie. I read more than I wanted to just to see and they all say the samething. Strong, honest, brave, Asian, real. The last one being the most laughable. I'll say this they must not know a single person who's ever used drugs. And that itself is a sad statement. If the say something acting and directing related it's very short. Hey I love a strong brave Asian woman as much as the next guy rolling but a good movie this is not. Why is this a bad movie you might ask? Oh where oh where do I begin? To be honest I missed some of the points the other one or two of my fellow negative reviewers brought up. Like being shot in all close ups. That's huge. How could I possibly not notice that scince I'm writing about it. Easy. I was so fixated on the completely impossible to believe dialogue and words being completely mispronounced and just left I couldn't believe another word wasn't used that could've been so much easier. What kid says "familial". I coukd see them doing so many retakes and giving up and using it instead of doing what most directors would have done. Gotten an actor who could pronounce it if they had to leave it in that bad. That right there should sum it up. That's the whole movie in all areas. After the Thanksgiving diner scene ,when the hurt daughter runs to the bathroom, I was thinking I'm right there with you. And then she told herself, "I will be cast in better movies, my acting will get better." And she finished the movie. I think. I honestly couldn't finish it. Two stars bc I have seen worse. I pretty sure there have been worse. There has to have been.

Wow, with all the movies that have little substance, not very good acting and are poorly filmed, you would think people would have a more positive outlook from this film. It does have its flaws as do many films, but it has an excellent cast, good story and the cinematography was very good. Unfortunately critics do not hit the mark for many of the films they judge, I wish I got their paycheck as this is a film definitely worth seeing. I look at IMDB and Rotten Tomatoes scores and agree with IMDB more often than Rotten Tomatoes on the scoring of films, they got this one wrong, the audience scores prove it many times.

Well, when I sat down to watch the 2017 movie titled "MDMA" (aka "Angie X"), I didn't really know what I was in for, as I hadn't heard about the movie prior to picking it up. So I had no expectations for the movie, much less know what I was in for.

And as luck would have it, it turns out that "MDMA" actually was a rather enjoyable movie. And learning that the movie was based on actual events just made the movie had all the more of a punch and impact.

The storyline told in the movie was rather compelling and interesting. It was a story that takes the audience through a myriad of feelings and situations, from partying and euphoria to sadness, loss and grief. But it was done in a very entertaining way, as writer and director Angie Wang definitely knew what she was doing with this particular movie.

I think this was my first time to see a movie with Annie Q. (playing Angie) in it, and wow did she step up to the plate and delivered a powerhouse of a performance in this movie. She carried the movie phenomenally well with her performance, and I must admit that I was more than genuinely impressed with her talent as showcased in this movie.

"MDMA" turned out to be a movie that sinks in under the skin and sticks with you, given its well-written storyline and the stellar performance by Annie Q. I have to admit that I was blown away by this movie, as I hadn't expected it to be anything that impressive.

My rating of "MDMA" lands on a well-deserved seven out of ten stars. This movie most definitely is well-worth the time, money and effort. If you have the chance to sit down and watch it, you should certainly do so.

Ok, I managed to watch the whole movie, I was in a party mood so I started laying a bottom with some beers before going out. So I tought, WTF, it's a dope movie with 80's music, parties and all, even a true story also...

Of course I knew I was in for a low budget movie, written, directed and produced by Angie herself. But the first half was bearable, sometimes funny even, but the second half OMG. The girls started crying, mumbling and crying some more till the end of the movie. And that's where I knew the writer wasn't honest: or she covered things up in her own life and only shows the regret (the legal issues of cooking & selling drugs, murder, embezzling,... aren't even touched), or she exaggerated her own youth but didn't have the money to pay for those consequences in terms of a solid script, with of course the necessary settings, additional actors,... I dont know, but when this movie hits the point of crisis, it stays there till the end.

I see people from the crew are talking about the 80's feel & setting. Except for a few songs, I never had an 80's vibe. And the sets, as cheap as possible, as less as background possible. A club is one long sofa with people sitting next to each other haha.

And for someone who took and selled XTC, she knows not very much about the product. Nobody takes some pills and starts dancing right away, first you have to get through that nauseating feeling for half an hour and only then (if you are not sticked to your chair high on serotonine) the party's on for 2 hours.

I find it kind of a pity this movie spiraled down that hard in the second half. 'Cause despite the low budget I tought the first 40 min. seemed promising, but she couldn't keep it up. My advice: don't watch it.

Well scripted and well acted, MDMA is worth watching, and Angie Wang deserves kudos for writing, directing, and producing this autobiopic. Annie Q emoted more than most actors ever will and had great chemistry (pun intended) with Francesca Eastwood. (I'm glad I didn't know "Neen" was Clint-the-Gunslinger's kid until after the movie's end, or I would've pre-judged her). The story arc worked, and I enjoyed the inclusion of Adam Ant's music (though I could have stood for more 80s tunes throughout the film). Epilogues would have given the audience some needed satisfaction.

This has to be the worst film I've ever watched, and that is saying something as I have watched some muck. 1 star is generous

I have read some of the reviews that have trashed this movies, and I'm guessing they are written by men. While the movie is not perfect, the story is actually based on true events and to dismiss a persons very real-life trials, including traumatic events such as rape and absent parents, shows whoever wrote these reviews has no idea what the real world is about. As a movie, it could have been a little more consistent in the time lines and explaining how she got to the point of desparation, but overall, this story is worth listening too. Angie Wang did an excellent job of directing overall and making the viewer understand from where she comes. This is not a "drug movie," it is a movie about a poor minority who must do bad things to achieve what the more fortunate have. It shows that regardless of where you come, to wit, her roommate, a white, priveledged female, everyone has problems.

Waste of time. Totally unrealistic yet boring. There is no plot. It's just a convoluted mess. Feel bad for the producers. Won't be seeing their investment back.

This movie is very very bad. And not bad like the "so bad it's good", it's beyond that point. It is laughably simplistic and absurdly boring. A mash up of what someone obviously thinks being a drug dealer is like from watching the discovery channel. This is not due to the main character being an Asian woman. That's actually why I watched it. I would love to watch a good movie breaking stereotypes with an Asian female lead. But this is NOT that movie. From the start, stuff just.... happens. Dramatic subplots pop up now and then, and they seem inserted just to fill in plot holes and backstory. It takes a certain lack of talent to put so many things in a blender and end up with something so painfully boring. There's no rhythm, and the community-access-TV-grade direction helps nothing. It also doesn't help that what passes for acting here seems more like reading. I can't believe someone would fund this project after reading the screen play. It is a work completely devoid of wit, style, intelligence or even basic entertainment. I found it my civic duty to create an IMDB account just to warn any potential viewers.

Angie Wang is a warrior in life and made a daring artistic contribution sharing parts of her college year life trying to cope with family and money issues and achieve academic, romantic, economic and human success.

Angie X, played perfectly by Annie Q, is a romanticized version of an angry, conflicted but smart, sexy and resourceful youth that comes to a college where her first generation immigration and social class makes her adaptation more adventurous.

The casting choices, camera work, wardrobe and sets to match the 80s feel all seem right and we are able to do what director Wang, asked us the the start of her Montreal World Film Festival first screening: immerse ourselves in the movie and be transported.

After an hour and a half in the theatre, that felt much longer in terms of content, but also timeless and not wanting the movie to end and leave these likable characters and their quirky lives.

The only personal choices I felt could have been better are the over-expression of anger which I later learned are Angie's character traits and constant reaction based on her past and way to deal with pressure, as well as some occasional superfluous flashbacks that did not always work to enhance the scenes and character development. Everything else about this independent film written, directed and produced by Angie Wang with a great deal of passion and perseverance is pristine and palpable.

Angie is contrasted by her two best friends, a Chinese American boy classmate and an "All American" rich girl roommate and their respective families. They have different views and values but lots of love, attention and affection for Angie. She also has her own distant parents and brother, especially her father figure. We see her dysfunctional family through flashbacks and she also decides to be a big sister to an even more dysfunctional crack addict family.

Angie becomes a drug-dealer of a then legal party drug for rich kids "White" kids (MDNA/Ecstasy) - and becomes a master chemist like Walter White - which affects lives around here in different ways. In parallel, and paradoxically, she also tries to rescue a "Black" little sister affected by lower class street drugs, both legal (alcohol and cigarettes) and illegal (crack).

Angies tries to find respect and pleasure in school and social settings with her grades, her drugs and romantic interests. A particular sex scene is quite alluring and seems natural, beautiful, beneficial.

The ending which follows a particular dramatic denouement is sad and hopeful, open and soft-spoken. It lets the viewer know that life is not perfect, but life goes on. The best advice, story and point of view comes from her father Michael, played with gusto by Ron Yuan.

This film is a well worth addictive addition to the drug dealer movie for the low, middle and upper class, college student and parents alike.

Bravo Angie! Looking forward to a following project from this fine first time filmmaker.

USA - 2017 - 94 mins - MONTREAL WORLD FILM FESTIVAL - English

This movie confronts head-on a difficult problems within a tangled and male-dominated sub-genre. Meeting all of the criteria that the genre demands and more this movie confronts challenges, such as underrepresented minorities in cinematography. One major issue that I found with the movie, which is very loosely based around true-ish events was the movie covers in entirety the lifestyles of young party-goers and the consequence of their choices. Simply dismissing this film as an attempt to appeal to a younger audience is wrong in my opinion because as far as I can tell, no other film to date gives such a comprehensive view of the 1980's club culture aside from anti-drug PSAs, clearly what this movie is not, and historical films. This film plays like a biographical narrative while being a fun and light-drug movie that brings a strong theme of the destructive effects of criminality, warning the viewer away from the dangers associated. While the movie doesn't condescend to the viewer the story takes on too many subjects, drawing the viewer away from the entertaining aspect of watching these young people at their worst. I believe this movie is underrated. The actors play their parts with gusto, guiding you in the chaos that the subject entails. The movie moves quickly from topic to topic, but in a easy to follow format that many clubbing movies simply lack. The reviews for this movie are of course critical, and the poor rating shows that the movie was received under the same criticisms that movies in the genre, following scarface and other classic clubbing movies, are subjected. Many movies that are ascribed to the niche 'party movie' genre were underfunded and suffered from poor casting. A movie like this one would have received praises had it been release 20 years sooner, when the genre was thirsty for innovators.

I didn't know what to expect when my girlfriend dragged me to a screening of this film I was expecting to take a nap but found myself sucked in.

"Angie" played by Annie Q is a fiery, broken girl who decides to break bad and make MDMA in her school lab and sell it to help pay for school. The story arc is typical, it's fun until it's not, and those who fall into her orb don't fare well.

However, despite her pitfalls and demons, manages to get up and keep fighting.. She's a heroine (and an Asian woman at that!) who is rich, complex and fights for redemption.

The acting is incredible. Annie Q delivers in the lead role. Francesca Eastwood is electrifying as the rich preppy roommate "Jeanine"( not sure about the costume choices when we first meet her but hey) . I agree with the Hollywood Reporter write up of her performance. Look for some incredible moments. Scott Takeda sells the likeable nerdy sidekick. Two standouts in what could have been melodramatic throwaway performances were Ron Yun as "Michael" the hard ass dad and Yetide Badaki as "Anita" the crack mother. Each of these powerful actors brought a depth and as the filmmaker, the "real Angie" put it, humanity to 2 archetypal bad parents.

There is some sex that seemed gratuitous to me until my girlfriend explained it through a chick's view. I'll let her write about that though. I will say that every red blooded boy enjoys a good threesome scene without being exposed to too much male nudity.

i enjoyed this film far more than I thought i would. DIdn't nap at all. And it stuck with me, making me think for a weeks. The filmmaker says that she wanted to inspire empathy and she did.

I almost didn't watch this movie because of some of these negative user reviews, but I think they're all from one or two people who seem to have some personal beef or forgot their meds. I looked at the critics reviews which were mixed but seemed to agree that the film has merit. MDMA is film that has flaws, but I give it 9 stars for heart.

I have seen and heard many stories that have portrayed the drug industry in various ways but none so compelling as this. Wang's work here not only will open your eyes to MDMA but will make you laugh, cry and pray. A true must see and a re-see. Excellent.

At times amateurish, but always with an honest telling of a damaged girl trying to be good while drowning in a dark world. It rings true.