Comics, by their very nature, generally lend themselves to seemingly easy material for movie adaptations. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is probably the biggest example of this. However, oftentimes it’s the quieter independent comics that really pack the biggest punches. Take the 2001 adaptation of Daniel Clowes’ comic of the same name, Ghost World. Heavily reliant on the angsty ennui felt by teenagers growing up in suburbia, the film is a perfect example of what can be achieved when adapting something from book to screen. Lucky for us, this same level of care that director Terry Zwigoff gave to Ghost World has recently been given to another independent comic that has made its way to the big screen.
Over the years, Randall Park has made a name for himself as an Asian American actor and comedian. Many people might know him from the ABC sitcom Fresh off the Boat or for his starring role in his and Ali Wong’s romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe. Recently he has turned his attention to directing, taking on an adaptation of cartoonist Adrian Tomine’s comic Shortcomings. The script, which was written by Tomine himself, sticks closely to its original source material, only veering from the comic to update the storyline for a modern audience.
Like the book, Shortcomings tells the story of Ben Tanaka (Justin H. Min), a cynical movie theater manager who just can’t seem to get his life together. He’s in a long-term relationship with Miko Hayashi (Ally Maki), but when his constant pessimism starts to wear on them, Miko suggests the couple take a break while she moves to New York to pursue an internship. Without Miko in his daily life, Ben struggles to move on, but when he eventually realizes that Miko is truly who he wants to be with, it might be too late.
On the surface, Shortcomings sounds like just another romantic dramady about an adult man-child who ruins his relationship by being a proverbial jackass to his girlfriend only to realize too late that the woman he was with really was The One. But what makes Shortcomings so great is that it’s not just a film about finding and losing love. Tomine is fourth generation Japanese American and Shortcomings is a nuanced look at the complexities of growing up as an Asian American in this country. Ben, who is a Japanese American in the comic and film, is a man riddled with deep feelings of shame and self-hatred that are directly tied to his ethnicity. His attraction to the stereotypical blonde-haired, blue-eyed white woman is a constant source of contention in his and Miko’s relationship. And yet when he finally does find himself dating a white woman, he is riddled with feelings of inadequacy over their interracial relationship. He is a man desperate to try to hide his Japanese upbringing by constantly criticizing and rejecting it in his everyday life. However, whether he recognizes it or not, Ben finds comfort in his Japanese roots, often choosing to unwind by watching Japanese films (cinema buffs will appreciate nods to Nobuhiko Obayashi’s Hausu and Yasujirö Ozu’s Ohayo).
But Ben isn’t the only one struggling with his Asian identity. His best friend Alice Kim (Sherry Cola) is a Korean American lesbian who hides her romantic life from her parents for fear of disapproval. In a particularly poignant scene that highlights the complexities of Asian American relationships, Alice brings Ben along as her date to a family function, telling him that even though her parents would prefer she date a Korean man, they would much rather she be with a Japanese man than any woman at all. The only character in the film who seems comfortable with their Asian identity is Ben’s girlfriend Miko. She embraces her Japanese heritage all while calling out Ben’s self-hatred.
For some, Shortcomings might not feel like it’s that revelatory. However, the film – much like the comic – gets its weight from its adept portrayal of internalized racism. The supporting cast is also a strong addition to the story with everyone’s favorite internet princess Tavi Gevinson absolutely crushing her role as one of Ben’s romances, Autumn. And even though the movie lacks visual fanfare, it more than makes up for with its smart script and reliance on the original comic. Tomine and Park should be proud of the film they’ve created here. It’s definitely a new release that never comes up short.
photo courtesy Sony Pictures Classics
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