The subgenre of raunchy comedy is making a welcome return with Joyride, a road trip adventure featuring an Asian female cast that pushes the buddy film into more daring territory. The result is a refreshing, hilarious film that entertains as much as it may shock.
Two Chinese school girls, Audrey, who was adopted by white parents, and Kat, a free spirit, become best friends over the years living in a white community. Audrey (Ashley Park), now a lawyer, heads to China for an important business deal reluctantly accompanied by the bohemian Kat (Stephanie Hsu). Along the way, they pick up an actress friend, Lolo (Sherry Cola), and a geeky relative, Deadeye (Sabrina Wu). Amid their insecurities and frictional rivalry, they encounter a crazed drug runner, a bizarre drinking game, a busload of male basketball players, a family reunion, and a show stopping moment at an airport hangar. In the meantime, they discover some hard truths about each other including Audrey’s search for her birthmother. When a shocking revelation emerges that throws everything in disarray, can Audrey save her career, and will the gang breakup?
Despite its outward crudeness, there is much to savor in this film as it accomplishes blowing up racial and sexual stereotypes while significantly representing Asians in a major American film. With similarities to the male based The Hangover, it’s a story about bonding that has a beating heart, and when was the last time an R Rated comedy had a tear inducing scene?
This
fast paced, profane romp (with partial Chinese and Korean dialogue) has a few misfired
gags but never goes off the rails, keeping a steady narrative in which people may surprise you when you least
expect it. This is a film that,
though at times obscene and outrageous, may delight you.
**** of ***** stars
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