Opened: August 4, 2023

Directed by: Randall Park

Starring: Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki, Debby Ryan, Tavi Gevinson, Sonoya Mizuno, Jacob Batalon, Timothy Simons, Scott Seiss, Ronny Chieng, Randall Park & Stephanie Hsu

Early in the film, Ben (Justin H. Min) complains about unrealistic representations in Asian-led mainstream films. This one successfully shows true representation.

Ben and his girlfriend Miko (Ally Maki) are in a rough patch when she moves to New York for an internship. While Ben stays in California to run his struggling movie theater, he confides in his friend Alice (Sherry Cola), who is hitting her own bumps in the road.

Ben is cynical, self-destructive and difficult to like if you read him on paper, but Min brings humanity to him and creates a well-layered disaster. You’ll find yourself rooting for him, even though he’s despicable.

The film touches on racism both within the Asian community and with Asian/White interracial relationships. With all the issues the characters face, it shows different representations of Asians onscreen.

Final say: A comical breakdown. ★★★★☆