Joy Ride
Four unlikely friends travel across China in Adele Lim’s sharply drawn if vulgar road movie.
This amicable but uneven road trip comedy marks the directorial debut of Adele Sim, the screenwriter of Crazy Rich Asians. She tells the story of two inseparable childhood friends Audrey and Lolo. Audrey was born in China but was adopted by white American parents, while Lolo was raised in California by Chinese immigrants. Audrey (Ashley Park) is now an ambitious lawyer, who is invited to travel to China for a business meeting. She decides to take Lolo (Sherry Cola) with her, who is still as foul-mouthed and fearless as the day they first met. Lolo’s eccentric cousin Deadeye (Sabrina Wu) also comes along for the ride and as soon as they arrive in China, they are joined by Kat (Stephanie Hsu) Audrey’s college friend, now a Chinese soap star…
These four unlikely friends are sharply drawn and well developed and are played with much energy and gusto by these charismatic actors. There are some funny jokes early on but as the plot develops, they become increasingly sporadic and thin. The film is watchable, but the crude, vulgar script threatens to sink the ship long before the trip reaches its final destination.
GEORGE SAVVIDES
Cast: Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, Sabrina Wu, Ronny Chien, Meredith Hagner, David Denman, Annie Mumolo, Timothy Simons.
Dir Adele Lim, Pro Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, James Weaver, Josh Fagen, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Teresa Hsiao and Adele Lim, Screenplay Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao, Ph Paul Yee, Pro Des Michael Norman Wong, Ed Nena Erb, Music Nathan Matthew David, Costumes Beverley Huynh, Sound Nolan McNaughton, Dialect coach Andy Yu.
Point Grey Pictures/Red Mysterious Hippo-Lionsgate.
94 mins. UK/USA. 2003. US Rel: 7 July 2023. UK Rel: 4 August 2023. Cert. 15.
