Joy Ride

By: MJ Asuncion

A journey of self-discovery wrapped in non-stop hilarity and debauchery, Joy Ride is a story of finding and connecting to your roots and to understanding who you are and where you came from. It is a story of friendship, family and learning your place in the world.

Joy Ride introduces us to Audrey (Ashley Park) and Lolo (Sherry Cola), who were the only Asian kids in their small town in Washington state. From the first moment on the playground, where Lolo defended Audrey when another kid tried to bully them, they have been best friends. As adults, though very different from each other, they are still best friends, with Lolo living in Audrey’s garage rent-free as she struggles to get her career as an artist off the ground. A career-driven lawyer, Audrey is set to go to China to close a deal, which would cement a big promotion. Having been adopted from China by a white coupleand growing up in the small town, Audrey’s Mandarin is not even close to conversational. Therefore, she enlists Lolo to accompany her to help translate, reminding her that it is a business trip. Lolo’s socially awkward, K-pop obsessed cousin Deadeye (Sabrina Wu) joins the duo on the day of their flight and later the three meet up with Audrey’s former college roommate, Kat (Stephanie Hsu), who is a successful soap star in China.

After an eventful night where Audrey fails to close the deal with her potential client because he is disappointed that she has no roots in her homeland, the foursome makes their way on a wild adventure across China in search of Audrey’s birth mother. From being kicked off a train in the middle of the countryside to masking themselves as a famous K-pop group, their escapades come one after another. The trip brings our beloved group through unexpected twists and turns, filled with laughter, tears and bonding.

The main leads are perfectly cast, complimenting each other well in every scene. Ashley Park does an outstanding job at embodying the ambitious and uptight Audrey, seemingly put together on the outside but has deep-rooted insecurities inside. Park flawlessly switches between the comedy and drama with ease, allowing for fluid transition of her character’s emotions. Sherry Cola and Stephanie Hsu are both standout in their roles, serving the laughs with not just their exceptional delivery of dialogue but also with the smallest gestures, facial expressions and body language. The banter between the two is one of the highlights of the film. Sabrina Wu brings an offbeat humor which does well to break up some of the more intense moments.

Joy Ride marks the directorial debut of Adele Lim, who also served as one of the writers and producers. Lim developed the story alongside writers Cherry Chevapravatdumrong and Teresa Hsiao. Though the film is a raunchy, exaggerated comedy, under Lim’s expert guidance Joy Ride’s central themes of family, friendship and identity remain prominently displayed throughout the story. The writer-director skillfully portrays the stereotypes placed on Asians and Asian Americans and the underlying xenophobia with comedic flair, heart and grace.

Joy Ride is a wild, chaotic ride. It’s a hilarious, outrageous comedy with many laugh-out-loud moments that come at you at a rollercoaster pace. The characters are fun, outspoken and unapologetically themselves. The story is fresh and original and totally unhinged, but in a good way. The journey to find your own identity is extremely relatable. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will cry from laughter. If you want an escape from reality and pure enjoyment, Joy Ride is a movie to watch on your own or with friends.