I went to see Mina Shum’s latest feature film, Whatcha Want, mostly because she is an acclaimed local writer-director (Meditation Park, VIFF 2017) and the film was shot right here in Vancouver and Victoria. I had a feeling it would be good, and I was absolutely right!
The best way to describe it is a high-energy mix of Crazy Rich Asians meets Flashdance. But overall, it’s a joyful movie of liberation.
Beneath the dazzling surface, the story has many layers. It brings poignant Asian cultural awareness to the forefront through the main character, Yin Tse (played beautifully by Bridgerton’s Isabella Wei). Yin comes to Vancouver from Hong Kong on a temporary visa as a new “trophy wife,” dealing with an isolating marriage and an absentee husband who is back home handling business… and a bit of unfaithful “monkey business” on the side.
Yin’s only friend in Vancouver is a slightly older woman in the exact same boat. She has grown used to her husband’s constant absence and views the luxury lifestyle it provides as a necessary tradeoff. Whether that tradeoff is good or bad depends entirely on how you look at it, but it appears to be the accepted norm for many women in this circle. It requires giving up a part of yourself to please someone else – something I think most of us have done at some point in our lives. As Yin’s mother perfectly puts it in the film: “I always liked mushrooms – but your dad hated them, so I never ate them again.”
One day, feeling lonely and looking out over her balcony, Yin notices a vibrant group of dancers practicing in the building next door. Intrigued, she wanders over to find connection by rekindling her childhood passion for dance. The dynamic blend of hip-hop, breakdancing, and acrobatics is mesmerizing (in fact, one of the dancers in the cast is a real-life Canadian Olympic champion from the Paris games!).
A chance encounter brings Yin under the wing of dance studio owner Penny (Helen Dang), who helps her train for an elite audition. But when her wealthy husband (Hugh Tran) returns from Hong Kong, Yin is forced to make a definitive choice: stick with material comfort, or claim the freedom to be herself.
Anchored by screen legends Ming-Na Wen (Mulan) and Tzi Ma (The Farewell), who help provide comic relief, this film tackles heavy themes of isolation and marital expectations within the Asian diaspora while the incredibly charismatic cast of dancers keeps the energy electric.
Ultimately, Whatcha Want is a beautiful tribute to the joy of self-expression through movement. It leaves you reflecting on a profound question: What are you truly willing to give up for a lifestyle, or for someone else? It is an earnest, joyful ride that will have your heart doing backflips.
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