Movie Review: Shortcomings
© 2023 Sony Picture Classics
Shortcomings made us chuckle at its dry and relatable humor, shake our heads at the plight of the protagonist, and reflect on some of the themes surrounding the Asian American experience and its role in recent media. Its bright visual aesthetic and the division of chapters help make the story fun and engaging, while also defining the protagonist’s arc of growth.
The film begins with a short sequence of a film that mirrors Crazy Rich Asians, shown at an Asian American film festival put together by the protagonist’s girlfriend, Miko. The theater erupts into applause, with the attendees commending the film for its full Asian cast - except for Ben, our sardonic, bitter protagonist. His comments on its “capitalist glorification” is reminiscent of the same debate about Crazy Rich Asians: is the value in having an Asian dominated cast altogether or should we question the actual impact these stories have on us?
© 2023 Sony Picture Classics
© 2023 Sony Picture Classics
Even so, we quickly realize how shitty Ben’s character can really be. From managing a faltering arthouse theater to his interactions with Miko to his diner catch-ups with his best friend Alice, a queer grad student, his personality unfolds through their eyes as one who is unfairly critical of others and often insensitive to others’ feelings. He has a not-so-secret thing for blonde women (including Autumn, the eccentric new hire at the theater), fails to recognize his relationship is falling apart before his eyes, and doesn’t seem to have much passion for anything. We’re not supposed to like him, but some part of us almost feels a little bad for him. He is just stubborn about his views and frequently rooted in his ways and fails to see how hypocritical his criticisms often are. We just wish we got to know a bit more of his backstory earlier on so that we could experience this torn feeling about Ben’s character and humanity a little more fully.
The characters around him help develop our perception of Ben and bring to light some themes we are familiar with in the current state of our society. Miko’s growing unhappiness with her relationship with Ben demonstrates how external expectations and social media play into shaping people’s perceptions about their relationship and how a partnership can so quickly deteriorate into mere coexistence when differing views become chasms rather than pathways to healthy communication. Though Alice could have been a more developed character, at the end of the day, she served as an honest sounding board for opening our eyes to Ben’s character as well as highlighting some of the struggles she faces in identifying as queer in her non-accepting Asian household. Furthermore, the depiction of woke culture in the characters we encounter not only serves as a humorous exaggeration of some of the stereotypes of young citydwellers today, but they also bring to light questions our generation currently encounters.
© 2023 Sony Picture Classics
© 2023 Sony Picture Classics
Shortcomings explores the Asian American experience in a way that is relatable and hilarious. It touches on Asian American marginalization and what that might look like manifested in the behaviors and preferences of our generation. For example, if you have “a type”, is this due to socially driven standards or inherent personal preference? Or, where is the line between cultural appreciation or appropriation?
The film leaves us with a bittersweet optimism. We see in Ben’s decisions at the end a realization of his own need for growth, and his openness to finally recognizing that perhaps he is the problem and that something needs to change. The character arc of the film brings a natural closing, evoking perhaps a tear or two and a nice resolution we could walk away from with a smile.
