B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping DíDi into the ol’ VCR. 

When I saw the trailer for DíDi, I immediately added it to my list. 

I love coming-of-age movies, and I figured that, at worst, it would simply be a fun watch. 

However, I’m pleased to say that it’s going to be an honorable mention on my favorite movies of 2024 list. 

This movie encapsulates the zeitgeist of 2008 so well, down to the Hot Topic shirts and social media. 

It’s also not just a movie; it’s a love letter to kids who were trying to find themselves while navigating the difficulties of adolescence and a complicated home life. 

But first, let me back up. 

For those unfamiliar with this movie, DíDi follows Chris (Izaac Wang) through the summer of 2008, aka his last summer before high school. 

DíDi really hit me hard because during the summer of 2008, I was right between Chris and his sister, Vivian’s (Shirley Chen), ages. 

I was going into my junior year of high school and thought I knew everything, so I was par for the course. 

Additionally, I know what it’s like to grow up in a complicated household. 

But, my personal connection to the material aside, Dìdi is just a really good movie. 

Not only are Izaac Wang and Shirley Chen wonderful, but I can’t rave about Joan Chen’s performance as their mother enough. 

There are multiple scenes throughout this movie where she either monologues or is in a heated conversation with Nai Nai (Zhang Li Hua), her mother-in-law/the kids’ grandmother, that are Oscar worthy. 

I know that coming-of-age movies all tend to have some sort of vulnerable moment(s), but Dìdi is raw in a way that we don’t see all that often. 

It also doesn’t just focus on the kids of the movie; we get direct insight into their mother’s vulnerabilities as well. 

Chungsing (Joan Chen) is trying to raise two kids while her husband works overseas. 

Her mother-in-law lives with them and constantly criticizes her every move (which I also saw growing up, as both of my grandmothers were harsh to KP). 

She’s an aspiring artist but can never seem to gain any traction in her career. 

She’s not the two-dimensional mother who only lives in the kitchen and says, “You kids have fun!” 

Chungsing is also trying to find herself and navigate adulthood, just like Chris is with adolescence. 

Now, my one complaint with Dìdi is that there are several gay jokes and instances of the f slur. 

I understand this was commonplace in 2008, but I don’t know if we necessarily need to emphasize/revisit that part of the past. 

Overall, Dìdi is a wonderful coming-of-age film. 

If you enjoy the likes of Eighth Grade, definitely check this one out. 

P.S. Major shoutout to Alamo Drafthouse for including Nathan Fielder’s YouTube video, “dance,”  in their preshow because I forgot it existed.