Shortcomings review
Shortcomings is a refreshing rom-com, one that challenges the genre conventions by doing right by the characters in the most unexpected ways.
Ben (a fantastic Justin H. Min, Umbrella Academy) is a self-absorbed slacker with an unearned sense of self-importance. He considers himself an expert on cinema thanks to his efforts at financing his own film while attending Berkely and working in a dilapidated movie theater.
Typically, this lukewarm plate of humble pie would force some introspection or at least stoke the fires of drive to do better. Not so for Ben. He’s perfectly fine scoffing at the less-sophisticated cinematic tastes of others while talking in circles to his long-term –and long suffering — girlfriend, Miko (Ally Maki, Wrecked).
Miko has everything Ben doesn’t — a zest for life, a non-pretentious viewpoint of the world and the ability to see the best in life. But life with a stable, supportive and loving woman isn’t quite enough for Ben as he fantasizes about dating white women.
After an especially nasty fight, Miko reveals she’s been accepted to an internship in New York City. And maybe it’s for the best if they don’t talk for a while. It’s hard to blame Miko for choosing herself in this situation as Ben is an unsupportive louse with an inability to avoid putting his foot in his mouth on every occasion.
At least Ben can rely on his fellow malcontent, his BFF Alice (Sherry Cola, Joy Ride), who hops in and out of relationships yet hasn’t worked up the nerve to tell her parents she’s a lesbian. With her deadpan delivery and perfect timing, Cola is a treat in every scene providing the film’s biggest laughs while being more than just the funny best friend.
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Although Ben didn’t want “the break,” it does give him a guilt-free excuse to explore his interracial interests — first with the new theater employee, wildcard Autumn (Tavi Gevinson, Scream Queens), and the less unpredictable Sasha (Debby Ryan, Fast X).
Ultimately, Ben realizes he misses the stability of his relationship. Alice also ends up in New York and in a relationship with the charming Meredith (Sonoya Mizuno, Ex Machina), who actually challenges Alice to give monogamy a sincere try.
New York Times illustrator Adrian Tomine adapts his graphic novel for the screenplay. The screenplay is at its best when Tomine explores the friendship with Ben and Alice.
Maybe that’s due to the removal of any sexual tension and they can just be platonic friends who can call each other out on their crap? Min and Cola have wonderful chemistry together and their bond makes the film so enjoyable. They have plenty of scenes together yet it still felt like it would have been fine to focus the film from the Ben and Alice perspective.
Maki delivers on her scenes just as strongly, but she’s placed in the least developed role suggesting that Miko walking out is the trigger Ben needed to finally improve his life. There’s a great scene later on in the film where Miko and Ben hash it out. Park gives both Maki and Min space to air out Ben and Miko’s grievances and it’s a highly effective scene due to their performances.
Randall Park (Ant-Man and The Wasp) makes his directorial debut. It’s not without some rough edges as the pacing tends to drag out at times, a side effect of having a main character stay unlikable for such an extended period of the film and the constant reinforcement that Ben isn’t a great guy. When Park clicks, Shortcomings is a fun exploration of characters that have some major flaws they need to address before they can live their best lives.
Tomine puts an emphasis on quirky characters, which eventually becomes tiresome as the majority of the cast are just a little off seemingly having big, wild personalities for the sake of comedy that doesn’t always work. Autumn has a… unique photo collection on the wall and has a roommate that never wears clothes. Jacob Batalon (Spider-Man: No Way Home) is wasted in far too small of a supporting role.
Shortcomings has a few deficiencies, but it’s engaging enough with quality work from its three leads to maintain interest to the final credits.
Rating: 8 out of 10
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Classics