Review of Shanghai Kiss (2007) by Jeff B — 02 Oct 2010

The plot starts out with Liam auditioning for a role in a toothpaste commercial. He is rejected after some initial questioning by the screeners because he is not considered "Asian" enough. This begins our glimpse into the casting decisions of Hollywood producers, who Liam believes heavily stereotype Asian American males to the point where it is difficult for them to land non-stereotypical roles. Liam then takes a city bus home from the audition since his car is towed away, and there, he meets Adelaide Bourbon (Hayden Panettiere), a young, beautiful, high school student. During the ride home, Liam discovers that Adelaide has been sketching a picture of him. The two begin to have a conversation and Adelaide sings Liam a song, whereupon they become quick friends. Liam feels guilt for becoming friends with such a young girl and Adelaide later asks Liam to go to the prom with her. He declines, and this serves as the basis for the many times that Liam feels guilty in having a budding friendship with such a young girl. His friend, Joe Silverman (Joel Moore) is one of the most vocal opponents of the "friendship", as Joe expresses his belief that no good can come out of what is developing between him and Adelaide.

During a scene early in the movie, Liam expresses his frustration in the stereotyping of Asian males in Hollywood, since he himself is a struggling actor. Joe reminds Liam that it was Liam's decision to drop out of Columbia University to pursue a career in acting. In the "bar scene," as it is known, Joe challenges Liam to ask out a white woman at the bar. Liam rails against Joe and the woman at the bar, Georgia (Kathleen Lancaster), because she supposedly represents the superficiality and status-seeking of Hollywood and of white American women in general. Still, Liam is attracted to Georgia and has been in several W.G.W.A.G. (White Girls With Asian Guys) relationships before in Hollywood. Nonetheless, Liam takes Joe up on this bar bet and sits down next to Georgia. In a small period of time, he is able to charm Georgia, saying that her name represents Liam's "favorite Confederate state." The two sleep together, but Liam cries after his father calls him while the two are engaged in sexual intercourse, ostensibly because Liam, while able to sleep with the woman he chose, feels pangs of emptiness from not being connected to his culture, and instead, being lured into the image of success represented by women such as Georgia.