Shortcomings

By: Jamie Steinberg

I don’t get it. From all the other reviews I’ve read about the movie Shortcomings seems to be deemed a triumph. However, I disagree. Yes, the stars of the film give exceptional performances, but I just found the entire thing unable to invest in. Shortcomings is supposed to be about “a trio of young Bay Area urbanites navigating a range of interpersonal relationships as they traverse the country in search of the ideal connection,” yet it feels more focused on a guy who would rather get lost in movies rather than truly live his life.

Justin H. Min plays Ben, a filmmaker in name only, who by day works as the manager of an indie movie theater. Things are on the rocks with his girlfriend Miko (Ally Maki) as she is over his constant rewatching of classic movies and his not-so-subtle fetishizing of Caucasian women. Unable to put up with his morose nonsense any longer she jumps at the chance to go to New York for an internship. With more time on his hands and “taking some time apart” from his relationship, Ben spends his free time exploring his penchant for white women, which includes the new cashier at his theater (Tavi Gevinson) and a bisexual woman that he meets at a party (Debby Ryan). The only person Ben can turn to for guidance and candor is his sardonic and blunt best friend Alice (Sherry Cola). As things in Ben’s life go from bad to worse, he heads to New York for a change of pace (sure, Miko might be a draw as well) only to have the rest of his world crumble before him.

First time film director and actor (with a cameo in the movie) Randall Park gets standout performances from stars Min and Cola. Their friendship seems real and genuine, and Min makes Ben’s indecision and flailing feel authentic. Alice gives Ben that kick in the pants of hard truth to give him the perspective he is sorely in need of. However, I find Ben’s lack of ambition and high expectations for others annoying. He expects that when he’s messed up that he can just apologize, and that things will go back to the way they were – as dysfunctional as they were but in a sweet spot where he doesn’t have to challenge himself. To me, that’s his “shortcoming.” Why explore what you really want in life and from life when you can float through it? Also, had writer Adrian Tomine added a pot habit, Ben would have been like any other late 20’s – early 30’s slacker we’ve seen before.

Shortcomings just feels a bit too trite and uninteresting. I can’t giveaway whether or not Ben’s own shortcomings come back to bite him or motivate him, but as standout as Min and Cola are in their roles, it’s just not enough to recommend sitting through the film.