Dealing with Dad

What a great feel good movie. I got a chance to watch an advance screening last year and it was so fun. It was my first movie in the theatre since the pandemic. The movie was witty and heartfelt. It had themes of identity. Family dunamics, societal norms etc - it was almost like a coming of age movie, but more like, "we are grown up now, and what are we doing?"

The acting was so funny, some areas were exaggerated but I think that was the point - to illustrate and build up each and individual character. I could see myself in each character which made the movie very relatable.

It was a great movie and I can't wait to watch it again with my teenagers. They need to understand what it was like for us Gen Xers growing up and how we see the world.

IN A NUTSHELL: The story is about Margaret, who reluctantly goes back to her hometown with her brothers to deal with the sudden depression of her father.

The film premiered at an Asian-American Film Festival and will definitely find its audience among Asian immigrants. It has already won an impressive number of awards!

The film was both written and directed by Tom Huang, based loosely on his personal experience and that of his Asian-immigrant friends.

One of my sons married a lovely girl from Hong Kong. Their little son is surrounded by Asian families in America where they live. I'm so grateful I've been able to go to China many times so that I can help instill a love for that rich culture in his heart.

THINGS I LIKED: The cast includes Ally Maki, Hayden Szeto, Peter S. Kim, Dana Lee, Karan Soni, Jeff Atlas, and Page Leong.

I've been trying to learn Mandarin, so it was fun to hear some of the characters in the story speak Mandarin.

Those in the Asian community will probably see a lot of familiar territory in the story. Non-Asians will get a glimpse into Asian families and their unique traditions and perspective.

The film could easily be turned into a sitcom and already feels a little like one.

The story seems very realistic.

There is a lot of humor, although not all of it landed for me.

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE: So much yelling and fighting among the characters got on my nerves. I don't find that entertaining or funny.

I've never understood parents who complain when their adult kids don't call them. The phone works both ways.

I didn't really like any of the self-absorbed characters. They're constantly angry, snarky, and criticize each other. I'm so grateful I didn't grow up in a family like that. Neither did my husband, so we've been able to raise 4 respectful, kind sons.

I love alliteration in titles, but the name of the movie instantly reveals the attitudes of the children: they have to DEAL with their dad rather than CARE for him.

Unfortunately, the movie is forgettable.

TIPS FOR PARENTS: Profanity, including F-bombs Talk of racism Some crude conversations.

Siblings get into a fistfight.

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I'm a sandwich generation parent/caregiver. In his dramedy, Dealing with Dad, filmmaker Tom Huang captures the very essence of Sandwich Generation living. He does so with heart and hilarious humor! All the while tackling themes such as parent/child dynamics, sibling issues, mental health, and racial/cultural topics.

The very first scene of this movie hooked me. It put into a visual some much of how I've felt during my caregiving journey. I feel so seen!!!

I highly recommend this movie! I've seen it about 5 times now and laugh every time!!! Definitely put it on your watch list! It'll lighten the load of what can be an overwhelming and hard road of a caregiver.

My wife and I were able to catch this on the opening night of the Austin Asian American Film Festival on June 23, 2022. Wonderful movie! Lots of creative energy among the cast. The pace is quick, the writing is fantastic, lots of sharp zingers. Most of the credit will go to writer/director Tom Huang and leading lady Ali Maki (as Margaret). However, Page Leong as the prototypical "FOB" Asian mom (Sophie) was also fantastic. That having been said, pretty much everyone was very entertaining. Each actor brought his/her own special energy to the role. The result sparkled!

After the show, we were lucky enough to have director Tom Huang and actor Dana Lee (as the difficult Dad) for a live question and answer session. They discussed the background of the story in Tom Huang's own experiences, but also the kind of interesting network-of-friends process for assembling the cast and the personal perspectives that each actor brought to the movie - not to mention the arduous filming conditions at the height of the pandemic. My take away was that this movie is a great example of the adage that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Particularly highly recommended for Asian immigrants, Asian Americans, and others who have married into the community. However, I think this movie will be a fun evening for almost anyone, even if you have no personal Asian connection.

Dealing with Dad is an apt depiction of the ups and downs of a family dealing with a crisis. Each character has a defining moment where you see them become more human and faliable. But there is also redemption and acceptance as they each navigate their own personal drama.

This roller coaster ride is funny, thoughtful and brutally honest. You'll find yourself relating to the idiosyncrasies and humility of each character. You'll walk away feeling a bit lighter with your own families a little bit closer to your heart!

Shedding light on depression will undoubtedly help reduce the stigma of mental illness. This was done with sensitivity, humor and love.