Actor turned director Randall Park’s feature film debut, ‘Shortcomings’ is adapted for the screen by Adrian Tomine who also wrote the graphic novel. It is an insightful look at the struggles Asian-Americans face looking for love in these modern times. It is a fascinating character study of a guy who feels so entitled that he is not willing to compromise his passive aggressive behavior. Most of us learn at an early age if we don’t keep our ego in check, it will hurt our opportunities in the long run.
Ben (Justin H. Min) is an aspiring filmmaker. He believes he has the potential to be the next Eric Rohmer. Look him up. Instead, Ben is a real jerk. He works a less-desirable job managing an arthouse cinema in Berkeley. How he affords such a cool apartment with his girlfriend, Miko (Ally Maki) is a mystery to me. But hey, if you’re going to struggle in your career, you might as well live in a cool hipster pad.
Miko works at an Asian film festival. After a screening, Ben criticizes the film and the audience for embracing it as stereotypical Asian representation. You can tell their relationship is on the rocks. Miko informs him that she is taking an internship in New York. Ben must figure out his next step after his girlfriend leaves him. He gets advice from his lesbian best friend Alice (Sherry Cola) who is just as acerbic as he is.
It is obvious Ben has a thing for blonde, white women. He begins to flirt with Autumn (Tavi Gevinson), the new ticket taker at the movie theater. She turns out to be a germaphobe in a bad performance art band. When Alice invites Ben to a house party. He meets Sasha (Debby Ryan) who looks like a young Joey Lauren Adams from the indie film ‘Chasing Amy.’ She’s more down to earth but Ben’s sarcastic humor gets him into trouble once again.
Ben reminds me of a young Woody Allen antihero. He can be charming and off-putting at the same time. The problem is that he has a total disregard for the feelings of others. He even goes to New York to chase after his ex-girlfriend Miko. She’s settled into a new life and he is oblivious as to why she ever left him. Although his personality is unlikable, you are rooting for Ben to make the necessary changes to become more successful in his relationships and fledgling film career.
‘Shortcomings’ is a bitingly funny character study. It is an interesting commentary on race and identity. Director Randall Park has put his heart and soul into this project. I hope the main character played convincingly by Justin Min realizes as you get older you must tone down the acerbic wit. I’m looking forward to Park’s next film.
