i do not think this be a film unique to asian and it just so happen that the character be asian . there be hue of cultural family or generational expectation and like the scene of michael and his aunt . the dinner table scene somehow remind me of writer director mina shum 1994 double happiness and which include chinese canadian family dinner scene with sandra oh in the lead while also bring to mind director wayne wang 1985 dim sum represent a little bit of heart . overall and i felt there be similarity in filmmaking style between lynne ramsay morvern callar and eric byler charlotte sometimes the value of quiet moment and sparse dialog scene and minimal lighting and silhouette shot while depiction of lonely feeling and alone ness all by her or himself while love yet not openly or readily show so secret and pain and longing keep within . the storytelling approach be resonant of each other represent not reveal it all to the audience and yet use music here byler have include song by cody chestnutt and to set the pace and tempo of the film . the presentation of relationship psyche be mature the brief exchange come across natural and of everyday ease . yet and yes and it do feel like a thriller and emotion wise . it a tug of war . there be sexual tension . the sex in bed scene may be a sexy and suggestive a cable late night and but it not pornographic . it camerawork integrally deliver with the soundwork the grunt and noise of lovemaking be not force but can be tantalize . secret and lie yes there be represent the relationship between michael the quiet mechanic who read ( also the landlord ) upstairs and lori the pretty actress neighbor and friend downstairs while the relationship of lori and justin ( her bed fellow and live in boyfriend ) while the ménage à trois between michael and lori and justin while the relationship of michael and darcy the stranger while the relationship between the two woman lori and darcy ( or charlotte sometimes ) while the other triangle of michael and darcy and lori and and not to miss the darcy and justin moment . on the surface and simple and quiet a michael would have it ( seemingly so ) there be a lot going on what lie beneath . charlotte sometimes may not be for everyone ( nfe ) and but it definitely a formidable mature feature film first from w d and co editor and and co producer and eric byler . bravo to him and the actor and crew of this film and and to visionbox picture for take on the distribution . for contrast and try w d james f. robinson 1998 romantic fantasy represent still breathe with brendan fraser and joanna go . there also w d alan jacob 1994 down to earth fairytale of a relationship represent nina take a lover with laura san giacomo and paul rhys . both i have comment post on imdb .