In Joy Ride, Audrey (played by Emily in Paris' Regina Park), a Chinese American who was adopted by a white couple. goes on a business trip with her best friend Lolo (Good Trouble's Cherry Cola) to China which turns into a search for Audrey's birth mother. Coming along are Lolo's cousin Deadeye (Sabrina Wu) and Audrey's friend from college Kat (Everything Everywhere all at Once's Stephanie Hsu).
This was a pretty funny film. (It may help not to watch the trailer. Some of the best jokes aren't in it, but a lot of the A-material is.) The screenwriters both wrote for Family Guy and Nora from Queens, which may give you a hint as to the type of humor. The movie earns its R rating and goes for broke with the raunchiness, including a couple bits that are definitely bold.
Though the advertising for this has definitely focused on the comedy, the dramatic underpinnings of Audrey's search for her identity work really well. The end destination of Audrey's journey is very satisfying.
It's nice to see this movie provide a spotlight for some talented actresses, who except for Academy Award nominee Hsu, naturally, whodr stock could still rise. This is practically Wu's first acting gig. All the actresses are talented and their characters well-defined. My favorite performance is from Hsu, who as the kinda fancy one who's an actress really nails her mannerisms and facial expressions all the time and never misses a beat.
There are a few weaknesses. Some of the plot points are very predictable and indicative of friendship-based movies. Wu is definitely funny as the socially awkward member of the group, but there is a little too much of the writers throwing in scenes where she does something random. There is part of the film where it definitely feels like a scene got cut and it feels a little awkward.
Recommended. Joy Ride's one of the better comedies this year and there will be moments that surprise you.
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