By Mr. Will Wong
JOY RIDE is what happens when fresh voices get a chance to be heard. Writer-turned-Director Adele Lim makes her an unforgettable directorial debut in what is equal parts a raunchy R-rated Comedy as much it is a heartfelt Buddy Road Trip jaunt.
The story centers on Audrey (Ashley Park), who is adopted at a young age by white parents, in a predominately white town. She befriends Lolo (Sherry Cola) and they tackle the education system and mean kids together growing-up. Fast-forward several years and Audrey is a successful lawyer, tasked with closing a huge deal for her firm in China where she’s never been. She brings along Lolo, now a starving artist, and antics are about to ensue as Deadeye (Sabrina Wu), Lolo’s quirky cousin joins along, In China, they meet-up with Audrey‘s college pal Kat (Academy Award nominee Stephanie Hsu), who is now a successful Actress. Lolo and Audrey butt-heads, while Audrey is eager to prove herself and close this deal, though we wonder if this will all self-implode when Audrey really is pushed to reveal her true self and confront the voids in her life.
Inasmuch as Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, Teresa Hsiao and Lim‘s story leans on lewd humour, going completely over-the-top with it, this all is grounded by the Film’s more meaningful undercurrent. JOY RIDE is a a journey of self-discovery as Audrey for the first time in her life begins to embrace her heritage, and also sets out to meet her actual birth mother. And above that, this in all the craziness that ensues, our four leads form a palpable sisterhood that has us rooting for them in all their quirky dysfunction.
There isn’t one weak link in this Ensemble. Park is a delight, really a grounding force in all of this, navigating all the chaos that breaks loose around her, while Cola is a real revelation – think Awkwafina with a bit more grit. She embodies that BFF who truly has your back and will tell you when you’re out of line. Hsu does some excellent character-building diving deep into Kat’s insecurities, concealing from her past sexual experience from celibate financé Clarence (Desmond Chiam). The Film’s biggest scene-stealer however is Wu, who is quick-witted, working with brilliant comedic timing. Vancouver’s Michelle Choi-Lee also appears on-screen only for a limited time – and we won’t disclose her role – but simply mesmerizing work.
We’re willing to overlook some of the Film’s absurdities as JOY RIDE is exactly just as its name suggests. We need a bit of lightness this Summer and this is it!
Cineplex Pictures release it in theatres July 7, 2023.
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