Hyphen magazine - Asian American arts, culture, and politics

Directed by Jessica Yu

After a car accident puts Christopher "C-dub" Wang's table tennis-playing mom and brother out of commission, it's up to slacker C-dub to uphold the family business in Ping Pong Playa (2007). C-dub (Jimmy Tsai) has little interest in pingpong (he prefers to play video games in bed). But his family's livelihood and reputation depend on the sport, and the jobless C-dub is forced to sub for Mom as pingpong teacher at the local ree center. This parttime gig turns into a serious endeavor as various events unfold: A new, rival pingpong school (led by white instructors) tries to poach students; C-dub tries to impress the older sister of one of his protogés; and, finally, C-dub starts training to win the annual National Golden Cock tournament. The film is mostly fun and games, taking us on a cute romp through the usual parody of Rocky-esque training montages. But perhaps Its real value lies in C-dub's sometimes militant, always earnest diatribes about the Asian American experience. Co-starring Roger Fan as C-dub's overachieving doctor brother. DVD extras include two featurettes and audio commentary with Tsai and director Yu. - E.L.