The coming-of-age dramedy “Go Back to China” largely unfolds in a toy factory, where workers nimbly piece together stuffed animals at their sewing machines. They work quickly, focusing on creating a product that can first pass inspection and, eventually, inspire joy. If only the movie that surrounds them were so deft.
The film follows Sasha (Anna Akana), an aspiring designer whose life in Los Angeles is bankrolled by her father (Richard Ng), a toy manufacturer in Shenzhen. When Sasha is unable to find a job, her father cuts her off financially. What Sasha’s domineering dad wants, he gets, and he wants Sasha to return to China and start working in the family business.
Sasha capitulates and moves to Shenzhen, where she meets her half-siblings, who struggle under their father’s supervision, and her family’s factory workers, who cower in fear of losing what little money they make. Sasha learns some self-awareness, but her journey to enlightenment drags: Even 95 minutes feels too long to spend in her company.
Emily Ting, who both wrote and directed the movie, occasionally hits on an interesting image, like the workers at their stations, but the biggest trouble here is in the writing. By the time the film gets around to showing what a character has felt, they have already told the audience twice — and most likely another character has explained as well, just in case anyone missed the memo. Of the actors, only Ng resonates. His character is the least understanding and least understood, and, mercifully, Ng does not try to connect the dots between his mood swings. His performance suggests the film that might have been — one in which characters are allowed to just be, without having to explain themselves.
Go Back to China
Not rated. In English and Chinese, with subtitles. Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes.
Source: Movies - nytimes.com
