Directed by Dave Boyle starring Hiroshi Watanabe. Last night I accompanied my sister to the Asian American Film Festival in Los Angeles. My favorite movie that showed yesterday was White on Rice. Hiroshi Watanabe did a wonderful job playing “Jimmy” the weird dysfunctional uncle. The cast was wonderful, the script was witty and hilarious, and the movie had a great upbeat pace.
When I first watched the previews for this movie, I was a bit skeptical. Okay, very skeptical. I don’t find the Asian guy with a heavy accent thing funny. Maybe others do (those who are easily amused), but it bores me. I’m also tired of the Asian-American-struggling-with-their-identity-in-America-b/c-they-are-also-Asian-thing. Been there. Lived it. Let’s move on.
This was neither. This was about a divorced man in his late thirties, looking for love and trying to figure out his life while crashing at his sister’s house. He shares a room and bunk bed with his nephew, a ten year old (or around that age), whom he constantly borrows money from. Though his situation is most depressing, the film focuses on finding the humorous aspects in it. For example when dealing with his divorce- instead of crying or falling into the pits of depression, he pulls out a framed picture of he and his ex wife from underneath his pillow, kisses the frame and declares, goodnight my wife, I will surely find someone better than you.
Try to catch it when it’s in theaters near you. It won’t disappoint.
