DIDI

The raw honesty with which writer-director Sean Wang depicts the awkwardness of youth in Didi delivers touching scenes aplenty, even if the sum of all the parts doesn’t quite add up emotionally.

Most coming-of-ages tales strive towards a life-affirming truth to cap the main character’s journey. That fact that Didi mostly resists that urge is a reason in itself to recommend the film wholeheartedly, even if this doesn’t provide the neat closure you secretly desire.

Sean Wang loosely based the story of the titular character – also called Chris or Wang-Wang by friends and family – on his own life, growing up in California as the son of Taiwanese parents in the noughties. That perhaps explains why he uncannily captures the essence of being an outsider, desperate to fit in.

The honesty with which Wang basically bears his own soul, is by far Didi’s biggest accomplishment. It feels more real than any recent coming-of-age film I can remember, immensely helped by a truly great central performance. Young Izaac Wang is a revelation in the lead role, tapping into feelings every teenager has at some point felt with touching, unrelenting earnestness.

Therein reside Didi’s flaws as well however. Because the film isn’t afraid to show the messiness of being an at times wholly and purposely unlikeable teenager, it keeps the viewers at a certain distance. In the individual scenes this doesn’t matter so much, but it definitely robs Didi from a rousing final reel.

Nevertheless, in its depiction of the first teen generation to have grown up in the internet age, the movie taps into important themes, that will undoubtedly resonate for decades to come. It thus wouldn’t surprise me if Didi grew on me – and you – upon viewings further down the line.  

release: 2024

director: Sean Wang

starring: Izaac Wang, Joan Chen, Mahaela Park, Shirley Chen