Shortcomings 2023

Aspiring filmmaker Ben Tagawa (film school dropout) navigates the complexities of his personal life in Berkeley, where his relationship with girlfriend Miko - who works for an Asian American film festival - is marked by tension and misunderstanding. At his day job managing an arthouse movie theater, Ben hires Autumn, a young white woman, as a ticket seller, sparking concerns from Miko about his burgeoning infatuation with her.

The couple’s dynamics are further strained when Miko discovers explicit content on Ben’s computer, confirming her suspicions about his preferences. Despite their efforts to reconcile, Miko reveals she has accepted an internship in NYC, leaving Ben reeling.

Seeking solace and advice from best friend Alice, a charismatic lesbian with a penchant for casual relationships, Ben confides in her about his relationship woes. Alice, who’s recently parted ways with Nina, the diner waitress, offers words of wisdom while also grappling with her own desires. When Ben asks Autumn out, he attends one of her performance art shows, only to have his attempts at intimacy rebuffed.

Following this failed date, Alice invites Ben to a queer house party, where he meets Sasha, a graduate student who shares his passion for film. As they grow closer, Alice reveals she’s been suspended from her program due to a confrontation with Nina’s roommate and is considering traveling to NYC, leaving Ben feeling anxious about their budding relationship.

Sasha eventually breaks up with Ben, confessing she was on a break from her girlfriend, who had returned from abroad. With his personal life in shambles, Ben faces the news that the movie theater he manages is closing due to declining ticket sales and seismic concerns.

As Miko remains unreachable and Ben’s screenplay sputters along, Alice offers him an escape route - an invitation to join her in NYC. As he hits “rock bottom,” Ben must confront his own desires, relationships, and creative aspirations amidst the chaos of his life.

As Ben settles into his new living arrangement with Alice, he’s shocked to discover that she’s now in a committed relationship with Meredith, a Barnard professor. The revelation prompts him to pay an unexpected visit to Miko at her internship, only to be told by the actual intern that Miko has never set foot in the place. This bombshell is followed by another stunner: Miko’s been moonlighting as a model for Leon, a renowned fashion designer. Ben and Alice decide to stake out Miko’s address, where they catch her holding hands with Leon, confirming their suspicions.

Ben’s world is turned upside down when he learns that Miko has begun dating outside of their racial bubble. His initial reaction is to rant to Meredith and Alice about his distaste for this development, assuming that Leon is an Asian fetishist preying on Miko’s vulnerability. In response, Meredith astutely asks Ben about his own preferences for white women, catching him off guard and leaving him feeling defensive. The tension escalates when Alice references her past encounter with Nina’s roommate, sparking a heated argument between the two women.

Ben decides to confront Miko and Leon at their apartment, where he accuses Leon of fetishizing Miko due to her race, citing his fascination with East Asian culture as evidence. However, Miko is not having it, calling out Ben’s own hypocrisy for being upset about her relationship while he was seen on a date with Sasha, the woman who had previously caught his eye. Miko acknowledges that she should have been upfront with Ben about Leon, but she also demands that he examine his own toxic behavior and accept that their relationship is over.

Feeling guilty and remorseful after causing tension between Meredith and Alice, Ben apologizes for his actions and announces that he’ll be leaving the city earlier than planned. Initially, he’s tempted to return to Miko and Leon’s apartment, but a chance encounter with the happy couple at a café puts things into perspective. He hails a cab and heads to the airport, bound for Berkeley and a fresh start.