Izaac Wang plays a 13-year-old Taiwanese American who’s enjoying the final month of summer before high school. Well, kinda enjoying. He seems hesitant and troubled more than excited. This film follows him thru his frustrating days trying to get a girlfriend, fit in with any group of friends and dealing with his family. None of the usual coming-of-age clichés are here and that’s a good thing. This is more a gentle portrait than a raunchy romp. His relationship with his mother (Joan Chen) is a central part and both of their performances are beautiful. The others in the cast (mostly teens) are not only the appropriate age, they’re completely natural and fun. It’s a bit frustrating that he can’t seem to find much to make him happy, but that makes the film even more special. There are no big revelations or transformations. Being set in 2008, it’s cool to see plentiful use of early flip phones and on-line interactions. It’s not often that current movies can truly be heartfelt, but this one is a sweet and quietly engaging look at a young man trying to find his way. 
(4 / 5)
