A gracious, eloquent film that by its end offers a ray of hope to the refugees able to look ahead and resist living in a past forever lost.

This is a story about purgatory, though it goes by the name Camp Pendleton.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Green Dragon is Bui's recreation of Camp Pendleton, circa 1975 (filming actually took place in Camp Pendleton).

Director Timothy Linh employs a delicate - but never sentimental - touch which, combined with strong performances from the principals and Kramer Morgenthau's vivid cinematography, makes for a transporting experience.

An ultimately moving drama about a displaced people. But its emotional kick is muffled by long-windedness, sentimental overkill and an overpopulated character gallery.

The Buis seem not to have complete confidence in their unique, imprecise style, which is too bad.

Green Dragon's portrait of refugee angst is decidedly glossy; the grief and lostness are glimpsed rather than explored.

The downside is that many of these characters are hastily sketched and their stories unsatisfactorily developed.

The film is often moving and explores the discomfort inherent in the contacts between the American "hosts" and their "guests," but its effect is diluted by slow pacing and lengthiness.

Takes a humane look at an episode in recent history that's received little attention.

The characters are put through worn-out cinematic paces, making both them and their tales tedious. Green Dragon plays as hollow catharsis, with lots of tears but very little in the way of insights.