Shortcomings (2023) — excellent performances overcome a static script

“Ireviewed your application, Mrs Wong,” a hotel manager says to the elegantly dressed Mrs Wong (Stephanie Hsu) in an impressive lobby, before continuing “and I have to say… me no likey.” He rips up her paperwork as Mrs Wong smiles and walks over to her husband (Ronnie Chieng), who makes a phone call. The couple buy the hotel and ride the elevator to the penthouse before the camera zooms outside, just as fireworks explode over the title “Just the Beginning.” As the cinema erupts in applause, Ben (Justin H. Min) stares in disbelief at the screen. This stark transition from glossy rom-com, parodying <a href="https://medium.com/framerated/crazy-rich-asians-2018-a5e1da342564" rel="noopener">Crazy Rich Asians</a> (2018), is wonderfully edited and gets the audience primed for the thematic core of Shortcomings, which is almost the antithesis of that box office hit. <a href="https://medium.com/framerated/shortcomings-2023-excellent-performances-overcome-a-static-script-243cdd93e884">Learn More</a>