Breathin': The Eddy Zheng Story (2016) User Reviews

On the right path, but he still need to apologize

[bettycjung · 7 September 2017]

9/7/17. As I was watching this I was a bit torn about the message this documentary was seeking to convey. You can say that Eddy is somewhat charismatic and can probably do a lot for communities. However, he really needs to face up to the crimes he has committed and the people he has hurt by his crimes. Even after years in prison he still has not faced up the consequences of his actions. That would make a nice post- script, that he ask for forgiveness from the families of his victims.

Oh, Betty... He DID apologize, try watching the film before you review it.

[regiz-54374 · 10/10 · 17 July 2019]

I'm a sucker for anything by, for, about Asian Americans because let's face it, there is so little of it around. That said, it's not as if I don't have any taste. This documentary was a surprise; it was straight, well-told and without much bias. Just when you think it's tipping too far into Hooray Eddy terriotry, there's a sobering narration from the victim's daughter and Eddy's own sadness regarding the unfinished business of his apology/amends to EVERYONE around him, not just the victims. Eddy is a charismatic character with a good disposition but he definitely has demons and is a man on a mission. So many people have gotten away with actual murder, Eddy's incarceration, his having served 20 years for robbery and assaut at the age of 16 and then the governement's attempts to deport him via 2 more years in jail, etc., is/was a travesty of our justice system. The fact that he made something of himself, actively rehabilitated and made himself incredibly useful to our society is a testament to his humanity and the power of his spirit bc he could easily have given up or given in. This is a compelling story and worth a watch.