Ping Pong Playa (2007)

I loved and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this movie.

Though it's not made for everyone. I'm not sure how much one would appreciate this film without a first-person experience of the Asian-American lifestyle. For those plot-bashing reviewers, the focus of this movie really isn't on the story itself. Through a "loser kid" who struggles with Chinese/American identifies, this film pokes at the stereotypes that Asian Americans live through and impose on ourselves.

Think it's boring to watch the moms gossip about their children's achievements? Think the kids exaggerate when they mention being sent to a billion after-school classes? They are fundamental characteristics of Asian American communities that we hate, joke about, and somehow can't get out of. Those scenes are a much more realistic portrayal of us yellow-skinned people, than the Hollywood movies and TV series that depict Asians as all short, small-eyed kung-fu fighters.

The movie also, through the rebellious "C-Dub", voices out against stereotypes. The Asian culture is not into the idea of protesting and you'd rarely see us in a public forum. That's why this unconventional film is so refreshing. A reviewer complained about the movie depicting Caucasians as villains with the ATTF judge making racist remarks. But the matter of fact is that similar subtle, indirect racism exists in our everyday life. Ever said "ni hao" to an Asian person without getting a very warm response? Go figure.

Ping Pong Playa portrays the modern Asian American lifestyle that's rarely known or correctly understood outside our community, and amplifies our unique cultural dilemmas into a hilarious comedy. Highly recommended.