Justin Chan has made a name for himself in the movie industry as an editor. He can now add director and writer to the list with Grounded. The film recently had its world premiere at the San Diego Asian Film Festival.
Grounded follows a young couple, William (Whit K. Lee) and McKenzie (Katherine Leidlein), who are ready to take the next step in their relationship. McKenzie has only one condition before they can be engaged: McKenzie wants to finally meet William’s Asian parents. They are very traditional so McKenzie must make the perfect first impression. This traditional rom-com has a Groundhog Day twist where the lovebirds relive the day over and over again until they get things just right. As Chan described during the Q&A portion following the screening, the movie embodies the fears of his own parents’ reactions to his mixed-race romance.
Chan’s editing skills are in full display as he seamlessly transitions from scene to scene. Even with all the time loops he can keep the narrative easy to follow while conveying the appropriate emotional mood from levity to frustration. As a storyteller, he delves into some interesting themes, particularly to those who are the children of immigrants. The exploration into cultural and generational differences along with familial expectations brings up some interesting thoughts. However, it is only touching the surface and you wish it could go a little deeper.
Leidlein is the standout from the Grounded cast. McKenzie is such a bubbly, lively, and charming person who is dedicated to her partner. She is compassionate, understanding, but knows her self-worth. Leidlein makes the character so endearing that you understand why William is in love with her.
Where the movie falters is in its male lead William, which is no fault of Lee but in the writing. On the couple’s first attempt at meeting the parents, William comes off as feckless, cowardly, and off-putting. It’s understandable to create such a situation to accentuate his personal journey as the story progresses, but it digs such a deep hole for the protagonist that he can’t quite get out of it. Add to the fact that when he finally grows a backbone and can stand up to his parents, his speech is more about what he wants rather than how good of a person McKenzie is. Not once throughout does he ever publicly defend his girlfriend. It makes you wonder if William really is good enough for his future wife.
Despite issues with one of the leads, Grounded takes an interesting approach to the rom-com genre while adding sharp cultural and generational commentary.
The San Diego Asian Film Festival runs until November 11, 2023.
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