The title of Jason Karman’s debut feature film is also the name of the family restaurant in the movie but it could almost pass as a critique too on this charming coming-of-age story.
Set in an anglo-Asiian community in East Vancouver where the Wong family all seem to have their own identity crisis caused by trying to aspire to what is expected of them. George (Ryan Mah) the father injured his knee so he could not play basketball for a living so instead, he is running the Chinese Restaurant left to him by his parents. As he got Andrea (Leeah Wong) his wife pregnant at an early age, she had to cut short her education and ended up working a 12-hour day in the family restaurant which she bitterly resented..
Janet (Claudia Kai) their college-student daughter was being persuaded by both parents to study for some professional qualities but all she wanted to do was become the chef at the restaurant. An idea that horrified both parents who considered this a step backward.
And then there is 17-year-old Jake (Cardi Wong) in his final High School Year who was being pressured by his father to take up basketball (which he loathed) and by his pushy girlfriend Valerie (Parmiss Sehat) to give up his virginity (which he had no intention of parting with). He had no idea what he wanted and he got even more confused when Aleks (Chris Carson) a hot jock who was openly gay, moved in next door. His drama is the real core of the story and we get the full anguish of a teenager so completely scared of his peers at school, and his family, as he tries so valiantly to come to terms with his true identity.
Kudos to the very talented Wong and Carson for the simmering chemistry between them that made their potential relationship so much more than just physical. Kudos also to Karman, and his writer Gorrman Lee, for showing that the trials and tribulations in this particular community are really no different than in others.
Karman made sure that not all the storylines ended neatly tied up as we may have guessed, so we really cannot give you any spoilers either!
Review : Roger Walker-Dack
Editor in Chief : Queerguru
Member of G.A.L.E.C.A. (Gay & Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association) and NLGJA The Association of LGBT
Journalists. and The Online Film Critics Society. Ex Contributung Editor The Gay Uk &Contributor Edge Media
Former CEO and Menswear Designer of Roger Dack Ltd in the UK
one of the hardest-working journalists in the business' Michael Goff of Towleroad
Labels: 2023, Asian/Canadian, brief nudity, Cardi Wong, Chris Carson, coming of age, Golden Delicious, Jason Karman
