Recipient of the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award at Sundance in 2024, Sean Wang’s feature film debut, “Dìdi” (Focus), is one of the best movies of the year by far. The only thing preventing it from getting an A rating from me is the excessive use of homophobic language.
True, it is a movie about teenagers, and adolescent boys love to toss off slurs. True, it’s set in 2008, a time not that long ago, but one in which people were becoming increasingly aware of the power of words, and the hurt they can inflict.
Taiwanese-American Chris (Isaac Wang), the titular dìdi (Mandarin term of endearment), lives in Fremont, California with his mother, amateur artist Chungsing (Joan Chen, who may finally receive a well-deserved Oscar nomination), older, college-bound sister Vivian (Shirley Chen), and his nagging paternal grandmother Nai Nai (Zhang Li Hua, the director’s actual grandmother!). He’s a high school freshman with a bad complexion and an even worse attitude. He’s constantly battling with Vivian, calling her names, taking her clothes, and worse.
His relationship with his mother and grandmother isn’t much better. While Chris is far from being a juvenile delinquent, he’s not a great student (a source of concern for his family), and he’s easily distracted by his friends, as well as social media. His mother, meanwhile, is also put upon by her harping mother-in-law while her husband is constantly away on business, leaving her to run the household.
Chris’ social awkwardness and lack of pop culture awareness are amplified when he finds himself attracted to popular girl Madi (Mahaela Park). This experience doesn’t go well for him and almost jeopardizes his relationship with his social circle.
But, in an unexpected turn of events, Chris, who fancies himself a budding filmmaker, encounters a trio of skateboarders looking for someone to film them and post movies online. Suddenly, he has a purpose and a creative outlet. Unfortunately, that doesn’t last long, either.
Chris’ life hits bottom when he assaults a classmate, bringing shame on his family. The emotional peak, which includes a raw and soul-baring confrontation between Chris and his mother in the front seat of her car, is the kind of tear-jerking scene that some moviegoers crave. They will not be disappointed as Chen and Wang deliver brilliantly.
Also, beautifully portrayed is the beginning of the healing of the mother/son relationship that follows. So, keep those tissues handy, because they’ll be needed.
Rating: A-
