In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can't teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, a... Read allIn 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can't teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can't teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom.
- Director
- Writer
- Stars
- Awards
- 10 wins & 18 nominations
- Cory
- (as Sunil Maurillo)
- Georgia
- (as Dalila George August)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaZhang Li Hua, the actress who plays grandma Nai Nai, is director Sean Wang's real-life grandmother. She had previously co-starred in Wang's Academy Award-nominated documentary short Nai Nai & Wài Pó (2023).
- GoofsOne of the Paramore posters in Vivian's room features a logo with three slashes for the E in "Paramore", which the band didn't start using until 2013. The film takes place in 2008.
- Quotes
Vivian Wang: [Bursts into Chris' room, grabs him by the neck] If you ever pee in my bottle of lotion again, I'm gonna period in your mouth when you're asleep.
Chris Wang: [Yells] Mom!
- ConnectionsFeatures Superbad (2007)
Chris Wang (played by Izaac Wang) is introduced to us as he's blowing up a neighbor's mailbox. We don't get the full story until later, but it doesn't take long for us to figure out that this kid is trying (too) hard to fit in with his group of buddies, as they each transition from junior high to high school. It's the summer of 2008, and Chris lives with his mother, grandmother, and sister ... and he's miserable and lost.
Mom (a terrific Joan Chen, LUST CAUTION, 2007) is a talented artist, beaten down by the demands of being a single mom to two constantly bickering kids, and a demanding mother-in-law for whom nothing is ever good enough. Nai Nai (Chang Li Hua) is played by director Wang's real-life grandmother, and though her health is slowly fading, she doesn't understand the social or family dynamics of the era. Vivian (Shirley Chen) is the sister/daughter who will be leaving home for college in one month. She is constantly annoyed by her little brother's extreme pranks and immaturity, as well as the unfair judgments of Nai Nai. Their father is working in Taiwan, creating even more stress for these folks in Fresno.
Identity plays a huge role for Chris. His friends have always called him Wang-Wang, and at home he's referred to as Didi (little brother). A group of older skaters offers him his first chance to be "Chris" and 'half-Asian', and he takes it. He wants so much to be part of the big boy club, yet he fails hard when his crush Madi (Mahaela Park) initiates 'the nervous game.' He also flops at being the filmer for the skate kids, and his sister counsels with the age-old warning, "Don't do anything stupid." Of course, we know he will.
Being the summer of 2008, we see camcorders, MySpace, AOL Instant Messenger, A WALK TO REMEMBER, and flip phones, amongst other reminders of the era. It's interesting to see the first group of teens embrace the early days of social media, especially with the amateurish videos that slammed YouTube in those days. In this regard, director Wang has delivered a period piece, even if it's from less than 20 years ago. Google search also plays a starring role.
Most impressive is how the film, and the actors, capture the emotions we all recognize. Anger, confusion, and frustration are prevalent for Chris and his mother, the latter of whom gets a wonderful scene where she relays her perspective on life. It's heart-wrenching and Joan Chen nails it. As Chris, Izaac Wang details the absurd squirrel story which highlights his advanced level of social awkwardness. Included are references to Ang Lee and Spike Jonze, and the emphasis on Chris not being a stereotypical Asian-American. When summer ends, the braces come off, and Chris strolls into high school ... we easily understand why this won an Audience Award at Sundance. The digital version even includes some bonus features ('the making of DIDI').
Now available on digital and coming to Blu-ray on October 29, 2024.
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The Year in Posters
The Year in Posters
Details
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,839,360
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $207,307
- Jul 28, 2024
- Gross worldwide
- $5,133,713
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1