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Unapologetically Asian and Woman-Driven Comedy
Adele Lim, the writer behind “Crazy Rich Asians,” has made her outstandingly outrageous directorial debut with “Joy Ride.” The film received an explosive round of applause and laughter from the Paramount Theatre crowd when it premiered at South by Southwest on Friday. “Joy Ride” is a primarily Asian and woman cast comedy that turns stereotypes on their head.
The Plot of “Joy Ride”
Audrey, an Asian American woman adopted by white parents from China as a baby, goes back to China for the first time on a business trip. Accompanied by her childhood best friend, Lolo, Lolo’s offbeat cousin Deadeye, and college-roommate-turned-Chinese-television-star Kat, Audrey has one mission: close the business deal and make partner at the law firm she works at. When her plan fails, the group finds themselves on a chaotic journey across the Chinese countryside to find Audrey’s birth mother after nearly 30 years.
An Intensely Funny and Nuanced Story
“Joy Ride” showcases a hilarious woman-driven comedy without fetishization, a rare occurrence in western cinema. The writers, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, created complex and ridiculous characters that find themselves in outlandish situations, turning stereotypes on their head. This results in an unapologetically Asian American story that refuses to water down its cast’s cultures and identities for the sake of cheap jokes.
Breaking the Mold of Classic Comedies
“Joy Ride” proves to Hollywood that difficult conversations about race and identity don’t need to be secluded within dramas and tragedies. Lim’s brilliant directorial debut combines comedy and nuanced storytelling, expanding the realms of what previously defined comedies. Packed with witty jokes and uncorny pop culture references, “Joy Ride” is a ridiculously entertaining story that will have audiences dying for more from this writing team as well as the cast, who all show off their serious comedic skills.
Scene-Stealing Performances
Sabrina Wu’s portrayal of Deadeye, an off-putting and anti-social, yet somehow endearing nerd, is a standout and scene-stealing performance from the actor, despite this being their first film. Deadeye repeatedly provides hysterical deadpan deliveries of extremely geeky lines throughout the movie. Additionally, Stephanie Hsu shines bright in her role as Kat, a once promiscuous college student turned good girl, showing off her chops for some incredible physical comedy. Every performance from the main cast demonstrates brilliant comedic timing all throughout the film, with Ashley Park and Sherry Cola also showcasing superb improv skills.
Final Verdict
“Joy Ride” is a must-watch film that will hit theaters in July. It gives a fresh take on classic raunchy road trip comedies with a killer cast and clever writing. If you’re looking for a film that breaks the mold, resonates with Asian-American stories, and is filled with side-splitting laughs, then “Joy Ride” is the film for you.
5 injured basketball players out of 5
