Shortcomings (2023) User Reviews

Decent Romantic Comedy About a Man-Child

[chenp-54708 · 6/10 · 30 January 2023]

Saw this at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival

"Shortcomings" is a story about a trio of young Bay Area urbanites--Ben Tanaka, Miko Hayashi, and Alice Kim--as they navigate a range of interpersonal relationships, traversing the country in search of the ideal connection. This is Randall Park's first debut feature and I gotta say it's a pretty good first time directing project. Shortcomings explores about friendship, love, narcissism, and growth revolving around Asians or Asian American communities. I wasn't fully wowed by anything from the movie but I was still able to connect with the movie.

Park is able to capture the interesting chemistry between the cast members and the modern setting with some fun humor and personalities explored. The performances from each cast members was really good and Justin H. Min does a pretty good job portraying a man child of a person. The camerawork wasn't too special but it was good for the overall setting. The production is good and some of the dialogue was well-written and funny.

However, the story does become pretty predictable as it continues. A generic rom-com story where predictable movements were going to happen. But without Park's charms and chemistry, it would have been like a bad hallmark movie. Despite having some good dialogue, there were some dialogue moments that felt really awkward or forced and I am not sure if that was intentional or not. If it was intentional then I can understand but if not then those dialogue moments were pretty rough. Some of the supporting characters were a little annoying. Even with my gripes, I was still able to be entertained throughout this film.

By all means, it's a decent romantic comedy with good pacing and interesting concepts explored. I'd recommend for those who wanna have a drink or two and watch it for fun.

Rating: B-

It was surprisingly boring

[singhmicky · 5/10 · 12 August 2023]

"Shotcomings"... Man, I've had bigger laughs watching paint dry. I mean, the previews had me thinking this was going to be the comedy of the year. Remember those? Hilarious. But the movie? A couple of chuckles here and there, but mostly crickets. And what was up with that plot? More like "What plot?" If movies had arcs, this one was stuck in the flatlands. Honestly, by the end, I was just sitting there thinking, "Did we really need this movie in our lives?" I guess I set my hopes too high. Thought I was in for a comedy feast but left feeling like I just had a light snack. Bit of a letdown, tbh.

A sort of character study, veiled as a romcom

[AfricanBro · 7/10 · 5 August 2023]

Stephanie Hsu had a good cameo, you forget about it as the movie progresses but it comes up again and plays an small but enlightening and important role for what the movie's convey. There are a lot of Asian-American movie's coming out recently, I think EEAAO took the spotlight but I watched joy ride a few weeks ago which was great, and now Shortcomings, even though it seems like it'll fly under the radar.

Some elements of the movie reminded me of Wes Anderson movies, with frequent pauses to divide the movie into chapters as if it were a novel. It didn't forgo realism in favor of his orange sunset dollhouse aesthetic feel however. Something that I realized was that the movie was awfully quiet, like minimal surrounding sounds and you barely notice the scene's background characters too. I love how Spider-Man exists here and Jacob Batalon recognizes it.

Subtitle's would be nice but the movie is in English in almost it's entirety. It's not the funniest but the funny scenes did feel real. It feels like real people and above all the movies story, events and characters were believable so the moments that need to invoke emotions do that well... the cringe moments, the romantic moments, the humiliating moments, self realizing moments all felt like you were there in the moment for the characters.

I think it's less of a romcom and more of a drama comedy, even though Ben's relationships play a huge role I think it was a character study in the end for the character himself, self reflection and all that; so his love interest are just used as tools to that end. I liked that they each got meaningful endings too. He reminds me of Ramy from the tv show of the same name, in the sense of the second hand embarrassment, his world views and how much his decisions or what he says annoyed me because I wanted him to choose better. A man child basically.

It's not as excitingly paced, so not one of those cinema experiences were you get to have a blast, probably a movie better watched alone. Reminds me a little of Destination Wedding too in it's anti-romcom-ness, except this has a few more cute scenes. It did make me feel mushy inside at points but it's still not a romance as I said. I think it gets better as it goes, I wasn't sure at the start but I loved it by the time the movie was done.

smug is never a good look

[ferguson-6 · 6/10 · 3 August 2023]

Greetings again from the darkness. In the past twenty years, Randall Park has built an excellent acting career, likely best known as nice guy dad, husband, and restauranteur on the long-running TV series "Fresh Off the Boat". He also had prominent roles in the mini-series "WandaVision", "Veep", and the Ant-Man movies. Now taking his shot as a feature film director, Mr. Park sticks closely to the Asian community, while simultaneously taking a step forward by not emphasizing generational aspects and familiar cultural tropes. He's working from a script that Adrian Tomine adapted from his own graphic novel.

The film opens with Miko (Ally Maki, "Wrecked") and Ben (Justin H Min, AFTER YANG) watching the end of a film festival movie. It plays as a parody of the hugely successful CRAZY RICH ASIANS (2018) and leads to contrasting reactions and an argument for Miko and Ben. Miko is the curator of the film festival and is thrilled the movie received such positive audience reactions, while Ben, a struggling indie filmmaker, is totally offput by the film's pandering and mass appeal. We quickly realize Ben is a condescending jerk and Miko is fed up.

Ben manages a small arthouse movie theater in Berkeley and often has lunch at a local diner with his only other friend, Alice (a terrific Sherry Cola, JOY RIDE), who points out that his smugness doesn't play well with others. Alice is gay and laughs off her tendency to 'play the field'. Miko calls out Ben on his blonde, blue-eyed white girl fetish, and then soon after announces she is taking an internship in New York City, causing us to realize this movie is probably going to deal with Ben's road to redemption (hopefully resulting in a worthwhile human being).

With Miko living across the country, Ben seems to be at his most comfortable with Classic Movies and solo chill. He's a film school dropout with no filter and no sense of timing with his comments and critiques. Basically, he's not a likable guy, and we see this in his separate pursuit of two blond, blue-eyed white girls. He hires performance artist Autumn (Tavi Gevinson) to work the ticket booth at the theater, and has no idea how to deal with her emotional swings and artistic leanings. Things are even worse with Sasha (Debby Ryan), who is coming off a breakup with her girlfriend. Despite warnings from Alice to stay clear, Ben's pompous nature is once again exposed, leaving him all alone.

Ben's world changes abruptly when Alice informs him she is also moving to New York and invites him to come visit. He sees this as a chance to get back together with Miko, who has quasi-ghosted him since she left. When Ben arrives, he finds Alice living with Meredith (Sonoya Mizuno, EX MACHINA) in a serious relationship, and stumbles on Miko in a situation that causes confusion, and of course, conflict. Leon (Timothy Simons, "Veep") is a NYC fashion designer with an Asian fetish plays a key role in this segment.

The film is billed as a comedy, and while there are some funny moments, there is actually a sadness throughout ... most of it related to how most everyone is searching for love while trying to avoid loneliness. During this search, we are often our own worst enemy (Ben being the prime example here). The message here is that while we are all flawed, one can only find joy once they sincerely enjoy the happiness of others. Watching Ben's journey is not always a pleasant viewing experience, however his story is well told.

In theaters beginning August 4, 2023.

A movie about accepting one bias to find happiness

[ccarriere-43044 · 7/10 · 9 August 2023]

In a funny way, this movie is exactly the type of movie that is talk about in Shortcoming... The main character is someone who does not accept himself with his bias...but also project on others this bias...he is unhappy and make everyone around him unhappy ...your typical guest to find happiness by discovering & accepting who were are...the thing that make this movie different is that the main characters are Asian...but also their acting which make it believable, some funny moments, some serious, some unreal, just like life itself. An other spectator used the term man\child which would also fit.

The biggest loser main character

[TaylorYee94 · 7/10 · 8 November 2023]

Of course, a protagonist can be a loser, but he or she has to have something of quality that the audience can fall in love with or even at least can relate to or root for. Ben is controlling, unfaithful, negative, and being a racist himself. Most importantly, he's the biggest hypocrite. All the other things, he can be loved by character development, but he does what he despises and criticizes without any moral conflict. That's when the audience drops any interest left in him. The ending is weak as well.

As Randall Park's directorial debut, 'Shortcomings' is not bad at telling the story and continuing it smoothly without any huge leap of logic.

Nothing really new, but fun nonetheless

[euroGary · 7/10 · 11 October 2023]

Randall Park introduced the showing of this film at the 2023 London Film Festival by describing Londoners as "physically sexy, intelligent, kind... I'm not just saying that to make you like my movie!" Having been thoroughly buttered-up by the director, what did the audience think of the film? This particular audience member enjoyed it.

The film opens with a 'film-within-a-film' along the lines of 'Crazy Rich Asians'. Watching it is Ben (Justin H Min), an Asian-American who bemoans the only way to get a film made with a majority Asian-American cast is to make what could easily have been a majority-white, crowd-pleasing film... so it is (surely intentionally) ironic that this production is that most Anglo-American of genres, the New York romcom (albeit based partly in San Francisco).

The film follows frustrated film-maker Ben's love life: first with his long-term, trust-funded girlfriend Miko, who leaves him for New York; then with Autumn, who is working on an art installation featuring photographs of her daily toilet leavings - menstrual flow included - and with Sasha, recovering from the break-up of her previous (lesbian) relationship. Watching from the sidelines with a wry smile and dry quip is Ben's best friend Alice (Sherry Cola, taking full advantage of getting all the best lines in the film).

There are a few stand-out moments: the film's tenderest scene is as Ben and Sasha, preparing to have sex, each almost admit they have never before slept with someone of the other's race. But in the main there is nothing particularly original about this; it is merely a feel-good romcom. But there is nothing wrong with that! I am sure I will watch this again.

I love this movie!

[wjw0970 · 10/10 · 19 September 2023]

Ok. I overrated it. It's not that something worth a 10/10. But I really enjoyed watching it. It reminds me when I'm young. When I don't know how to appreciate what I have. Keep chasing the feelings like trophy collection. Obsessed with one relationship. Biased. Sometimes frustrated. All of these are actually called growing up. It's a period of time, while you learn how to fight, how to let go and move on. Learn how to live with it en enjoy the moment. Learn how to appreciate and respect. Park, I think I got what you trying to say.

There are several times in the movie people used the term of "what age is he living in". I think that was a key of explaining some times we are deeply impacted by the ideals that we were educated or lectured during our childhood. One day when you wake up and start to think and selectively review these things we were taught, that's called maturity.

That's what this movie made me think of. Kinda deep. Again, I really enjoyed it.

lead character not funny

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 3 March 2024]

Film snob Ben (Justin H. Min) complains about the latest Asian-American rom-com. His girlfriend Miko (Ally Maki) calls him out on his preference for white girls like his new hire MPDG Autumn (Tavi Gevinson). His gay friend Alice (Sherry Cola) takes him to a lesbian party where he meets Sasha (Debby Ryan).

Ben is a complaining, low-energy, pathetic prick and not in a funny way. I get it but he's kinda annoying. While he's not funny, there are a few funny moments especially coming from Timothy Simons. More than anything, he doesn't deserve all these hot babes. I don't know what I'm rooting for. One thing is for sure. I don't want him ending up with any of these girls. They don't deserve the headache. I do like where he ends up which is with nothing but self-reflection.

Pretty Bad Movie

[cinemapersonified · 5/10 · 10 August 2023]

Rating: 5.0 Overall, a pretty bland movie that tries way too hard to be meta and 'anti-woke' that it does not do a good job at being realistic as the direction of actors is pretty bad and the writing is bland/predictable, with the ending feeling like a Dhar Mann video.

Pretty Bad Direction (Moves the story forward in a decent way, but it just feels like there is a lot of empty space in the interpersonal scenes cause it doesn't feel like the characters have chemistry with each other (They just feel like stock videos); uses the Rom-Com template as a foil as many aspects of the movie steal from the genre's tropes (but makes fun of it in a meta manner)), Pretty Bad to Decent Acting (Pretty Bad to Decent from Justin H. Min (Has some moments where he is pretty good but somewhere he clearly is reaching a dramatic limit (Does not hold his own as the leading character as he does not have good chemistry with the rest of the cast (which could be attributed to how he was written))), Decent to Pretty Good from Sherry Cola (The best performance of the movie as plays to her characters strengths well (the comic-relief best friend trope) and gives some range within the confines of what her character is supposed to do (though there is some visible limitation)), Pretty Bad from Ally Maki (The performance just feels a bit one-dimension and the scenes with Min do not have any chemistry (which makes their interpersonal scenes very bland)), Pretty Bad to Decent from Tavi Gevinson (This is more of how the character is written but she just does not feel that believable in this role (mainly from poor direction)), Pretty Bad from Debby Ryan (Does not have any chemistry with Min as her performance just feels very bland and stock), Decent to Pretty Good from Sonoya Mizuno (The most experienced member of the cast as she does show some range of emotion (the only issue being that she does not have that many times to show it and does not work well off of the other characters)), Decent from Jacob Batalon (The comedic relief character that does a decent job at eliciting laughs from the audience, but does not feel very fluid as some parts of the performance felt off), Pretty Bad from the rest of the cast (Just a lot of minor side characters that do not provide anything)), Pretty Bad Story (The main purpose of the story is to mock the Rom-Com genre, but by doing this it does not develop good story elements as it is more focused on the dialogue and jokes rather than developing an interesting story (everything just feels very stock and safe)), Bad Screenplay (The dialogue feels incredibly simplistic; there were some good jokes but it mostly just felt like the movie was trying to be too Meta to the point that some of the conversations are just hard to listen to for how much back-pedaling there is; the symbolism and message is very shallow as the movie is overt in what it is trying to say but does not do a good job at making the meaning believable), Decent Score (Pretty generic for a rom-com), Decent Cinematography, Decent Sound (The scene where they used the concession microphone in the conversation was a very nice touch, but there were some moments where the mixing felt off), Pretty Bad to Decent Editing (Felt incredibly simplistic and choppy (just safe overall so nothing incredibly wrong)), Plot Structure follows a very similar template to that of a Rom-Com (even though the elements are meant to mimic the opposite), Pacing was a bit quicker than I would have liked (maybe adding 10 minutes to help slow the movie down would have been nice), Climax was incredibly cliche and predictable as the movie builds up to being an 'anti-climax'; the ending sequence of the movie is just so safe and bland that it feels like a Dhar Mann ending (especially with the narration and montage sequence), Tone was incredibly bland as the whole movie felt like it was a stock/fake movie that they would use in a real film (which is ironic given there is one of those in this movie)

Hard-hitting But Spot-on

[brentsbulletinboard · 8/10 · 15 February 2024]

When life doesn't quite turn out as planned, it's easy to become frustrated, cynical and embittered, falling into a trap of unrelenting wallowing and victimhood from which it's difficult to escape. But what will staying in such a rut accomplish? That's the harsh reality that an aspiring but unsuccessful Bay Area filmmaker (Justin H, Min) must face when his plans never materialize as hoped for, circumstances that taint his overall outlook and impact other areas of his life, such as his increasingly strained relationship with his live-in girlfriend (Ally Maki). To address these issues, he frequently seeks the advice of his best friend/confidante, a wisecracking, serial-dating lesbian (Sherry Cola) whose own life is more than a little dysfunctional. Their friendship is thus essentially tantamount to an ongoing exercise in misery loves company. But the unfulfilled auteur is suddenly and unexpectedly forced to get off the dime when his significant other announces that she's moving to New York to accept an internship, leaving him alone in Berkeley. So what is he to do now? That's what he's about to find out. However, this unforeseen time by himself proves to be a dual-edged sword, an opportunity for newfound personal freedom but also a time in which he's forced to get his life back on track, a dicey struggle in many respects - not to mention one filled with ample unanticipated fallout. This smartly written offering is full of eye-opening, unexpected plot twists, but they never feel forced, and they're often quite revelatory about the protagonist's true nature. In doing so, the picture successfully and intriguingly combines multiple genres, including romantic comedies tinged with elements typical of character studies, matinee dramas and hard-hitting social commentaries. Debut director Randall Park has also infused this release with an array of biting one-liners and a pervasively edgy quality when it comes to the true nature of relationships, an attribute not unlike that found in films like "(500) Days of Summer" (2009), "Bros" (2022), "Crazy Rich Asians" (2018), and even such Woody Allen projects as "Manhattan" (1979) and "Annie Hall" (1977). What's more, "Shortcomings" is not afraid to show the unflattering sides of otherwise-likable characters, a theme frequently seen in the movies of filmmakers like Nicole Holofcener. Because of all this, there's a certain brusqueness to the narrative and the characters that some viewers might find off-putting, but that's also one of this production's innate beauties in that it serves up an unbridled authenticity not often seen in pictures like this. Even though this release had a brief theatrical run late last summer, it's largely gone unnoticed. Thankfully, however, it's now available for streaming online and makes for a frank but refreshing watch compared to many other comparable offerings, one that gives us all a lot to think about.

Not Good Enough

[PennyReviews · 2/10 · 18 September 2023]

''Shortcomings'' is a movie about Ben, a man who wanted to be a film maker but gave up and who refuses to change. But, things force him out of his comfortable way of life when change comes whether he likes it or not.

What is trully enjoyable about this movie is the performances of all the actors and the actresses of the cast who did an amazing job and often aided when things got slow. Also, the story of Ben's friend. She, compared to Ben, is getting her character development, opening up to change and facing adulthood and moving on. And sure, it would have been nice to see something from Ben as well, but the movie just ends and we only got to witness a dramedy about a sad man. And yet, Randall Park as a director is enjoyable enough.

Enjoyable rom-com across Berkeley and NYC

[fanboycantina · 8/10 · 26 January 2023]

Premiered at Sundance, Shortcomings is a delightful romantic-comedy delivered by first time director Randall Park, based on the graphic novel by Adrian Tomine. From the first scene, it squarely expands the lens of Asians and Asian Americans from the Crazy Rich Asians mystique to a rom-com story in Berkeley and New York City with unique, yet relatable characters that happen to be Asian American. There's a deliberate intimacy created with conversations at regular diners, restaurants, and bars, in search of love, growth, and challenging conversations. Justin Min brings wonderful nuance to what could've otherwise been a caricature in different hands. Sherry Cola and Ally Miki are exceptional. I loved this movie.

Technically good: but not enjoyable.

[LukeCustomer2 · 5/10 · 14 April 2024]

I was interested enough to finish the movie and that says something but I wouldn't watch it again. The movie is about a few friends living in Berkley who are essentially all struggling. Ben Tenaka, his gay female friend Alice, and his girlfriend, Miko. Ben is a first class man boy jerk. Exhibit A in what is wrong with men today and why women are giving up on love and marriage. Ben is controlling, unfaithful, negative, a racist and a hypocrite. And shockingly his career and money prospects are poor, only being the manager of a small cinema.

We watch him as he drives off everyone in life with his toxic masculinity and I guess... are supposed to root for him in the end, that he will change. But the movie gives us no hint that is going to happen? For me the best part was his girlfriend telling him off... after leaving him. Though, he is unsupportive, sarcastic, soul crushing and unpleasant, when she tries to get away and claims to be doing an internship in New York, to let him down gently, after he messes around, confronts her for being unfaithful. Stunning but typical today. But confused as to why anyone would want to see a story about this.

Choose between cheering or jeering for the d*ck of a lead

[abecip · 8/10 · 8 August 2023]

Shortcomings is a very well made and acted slice of life type of movie. It's a comedy with full of heart. I love this flick. The directorial debut of Randall Park (who does a cameo) is an assured work. Must watch whether you're of Asian descent or not because there are many things relatable here, especially for those who've lived the single life and all its entanglements, or if they're still in the midst of their younger version.

It depicts many relatable themes like struggles, self doubt, finding love, heartache, friendship, family - - all with the brevity and lightness that's just right that it doesn't go too deep and depressing and it isn't too over the top funny.

The lead Ben (Justin Min) is someone you'd either relate to or know someone like that. Seems shallow, a bit of a prick, and still wandering about life. His good friend Alice is a lesbian (Sherry Cola) who's also living her best life (sort of); she even asks him to pretend to be her bf to placate her conservative Korean parents. (source of good comedy; it was also in one of the trailers so this isn't a spoiler). Sherry steals the show and provides great friendship chemistry with Justin. It's also a pretty funny movie at the right doses. Love to see Sonoya Mizuno (La La Land and Craxy

Wonderful job by Randall Park and the cast and crew. I highly recommend this.

Plus it's funny!

Sad. Hopeful. Triumphant. Sexy. Funny. Beautiful. Human.

[tediously_brief · 10/10 · 27 January 2023]

Some quotes from the post film Q&A to articulate how I feel in this moment:

"...for me it was just always about finding the truth, the humanity. I think there's a bit of Ben in all of us and there are sides of us that come out when we are wrought with insecurities or paralyzed by our own perfectionism and I think even in that brokenness, we can find empathy, we can find humanity." - Justin H. Min (Ben)

"I could literally break down in tears. ...what a reminder that we're enough. What a reminder that we can just be, and just live and have conversations and have opinions and have relationships and be so layered, you know? Relationships between our best friend, relationships between our parents, relationships between our booty calls... They're not the same and it's so complex and it doesn't need to be...a kung fu sequence. It doesn't need to be an onion pancake... It can just be human beings that are so relatable and trying to figure it out, ...and just dying for change and self-improvement, and not knowing how because we're...stuck in our insecurities, in our complacency, whatever it may be. So I think this is such a beautiful work of art about just being human and we just happen to be Asian and Alice is just such a special character, 'cause theres so much overlap in the queerness, the Asian-ness, the loud woman-ness, so I'm just honored and grateful to be a part of Randall's directorial debut and Adrian-it's so ahead of it's time, I mean... 2007! And we're still having the same conversations." - Sherry Cola (Alice)

"...it didn't feel like i was watching a movie i felt like i was watching my friends." - Ally Maki (Miko)

(me: sobbing)

"...that's exactly what this movie is about is having pain while also having joy and this movie expanded my heart like 10 times over just, and Randall, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. So it's very special." - Ally Maki (Miko)

"...I think it's important to do work that isn't necessarily for an audience either. It's for yourself." - Adrian Tomine (writer of screenplay and original graphic novels)

(sundance q&a theater audience: standing ovation) (me: even more sobbing)

This visually stunning anti-rom com is one of the most me-coded films I have ever seen I am so beyond happy to see a film like this exist????? I am in love with Sherry Cola's character and performance. The chemistry, charisma, and amazing banter she she has write absolutely everyone on screen? Wow. What an absolute star. Tavi Gevinson was also a break out to me. I thought she was absolutely delightful and hilarious. Sonoya Mizuno. Jacob Batalan. Justin H. Min. The casting felt so on point for me in every role, because honestly all of the performances in this film are top tier and feel so fluid and natural like breathing air. Like the actors don't even have to think about remembering their lines they're just living authentically in the moment, so natural and lived in. You can tell how present the performers are and how much fun it must have been to play in this world and explore these characters for these actors. It was really inspiring to see. Flawed characters are valid and seeing people traditionally perceived in media in different states of imperfection but searching for their truth and happy endings, whatever that may mean for them, was extremely affirming to see. A lot of these conversations felt like versions of conversations I've been in or have heard my friends recount to me and watching it really does feel like reuniting with an old friend you haven't seen in a long time. I can already tell it's going to be a new favorite comfort film for me. Randall Park balances the tension between dramatic and comedic moments with a deft hand-there are multiple transitions that had me in fits of laughter. The film feels like such a love letter to cinema and storytelling while still not shying away from tackling difficult topics of conversations and realities within the larger Asian American community. It feels very much like a film that will prompt discussion and i just feel really happy to see a movie like this exist and that more Asian Americans will have opportunities to see characters who reminded them of themselves or people they know in their own lives reflected in media.

Also that opening title drop? THAT BOOKSTORE SEQUENCE??? Stunning.

Loved this so much I watched it twice in a row within my Sundance virtual viewing window. It was my first Sundance repeat viewing :))))

Totally engaging and flavoursome

[sainfy · 8/10 · 22 December 2023]

I must say i am impressed with the direction and the actors. I personally like well knitted movies and this definitely made to my recommended must watch list. Beauty of this is in the predictability of events yet the relatability of it to oneself while hoping things turnout differently. Another aspect of it that really pulled my in and why I think it is a though provoking movie is the fact how Ben (our main character) can be viewed from different aspects and angles. Watch it as a romantic comedy or over analyse our main character and pass a verdict. I would really recommend to watch it more than once and each time choose your filter i.e. Watch it as a comedy or a drama or bring in your sociological views. I am definitely watching it again.

Great Flick if You Are the Target Demographic

[thalassafischer · 8/10 · 27 March 2024]

Shortcomings is a film I had been wanting to see for a while, but because of the underwhelmingly lukewarm response it received from other reviewers I was not in a hurry to spend my money just to be disappointed. But I am glad I finally watched it!

I'm definitely part of the target demographic which isn't strictly Asian-American, it's more of anti-romantic comedy for older urban Millennials who are still struggling with being adultier adults at 35 or 40. There was also a lot of queer representation. I started laughing out loud at the obvious dig at Crazy Rich Asians in the first five minutes. Yet there's also a poignant shift in perspective closer to the end of the story.

Ben is every "too cool to like anything" mildly toxic masculinity trope from my generation. Apart from the chip on his shoulder about being perceived as less macho as an Asian man, he's stereotypically every suburban white guy from younger Gen X or older Millennial high school and college who mocked people for liking certain bands, was always too full of himself to watch certain movies. I've had relationships with men like Ben when I was younger. I think calling him a narcissist is going a bit too far, but he's definitely immature and can be deeply unpleasant because his own insecurity in his masculinity makes him passive-aggressive and hostile like a permanently 17 year old black rain cloud on other people's joy.

His best friend, Alice, is an equally sharp-tongued and emotionally unavailable lesbian force to be reckoned with and her own growth over the arc of the story is implied to inspire Ben to finally grow up, too.

Hidden message about life. Sad but true. Very interesting!

[pdjabat · 9/10 · 3 April 2024]

Well, it's kinda hard to catch up at the beginning. But since the movie has a deep message that viewers have to think, so it makes this movie feels so realistic about life and human expectation nowadays. Hopefully by watching this movie, people will have a new insight. We can have out rock bottom situation, but all we can do is just wait until the condition getting better then move on. The drama kinda consume much energy but when we come to the end of the story, it feels really heartwarming. Especially when we realize that we don't have to stay together with someone we loved if we can't make them look happy or even feel happier.