How far would you go to be a proper, all-American girl? Joan Huang (Shirley Chen) would do anything for the elusive title of prom queen, even if it means molding herself into an unrecognizable assortment of western beauty standards.
Slanted follows a Chinese girl’s journey to assimilating in the United States: speaking English in lieu of Mandarin and dyeing her hair blonde. But where lies the tipping point between adjusting to a new culture and ethnically reprogramming oneself?
As Huang’s parents watch on, she becomes more interested in hanging around the popular crowd than being Chinese. She grows ashamed of her parents for working jobs she deems to be “immigrant jobs” and always skips the homemade lunch packed by her mother. With the help of an eccentric doctor, Joan Huang underwent an operation to become Jo Hunt (Mckenna Grace). With her new face, Jo ramped up her campaign for prom queen.
Writer and director Amy Wang created a clever take on challenging the status quo of immigrants being othered. She also threw in some witty jabs at “whiteness” like a satirical song about feeling safe around police or portraying a white family dinner with unseasoned chicken, plain rice, and a glass of milk. Wang’s storytelling was touching, following Huang’s upbringing as she was bullied starting on her first day in American school. Although the concept seems ridiculous, Wang draws you in to help you understand why Huang felt this unfathomable procedure was her only choice.
As a body horror / sci-fi film, the special effects did not disappoint. Most memorable was the final scene in which Jo clawed at her skin, desperate to find Joan underneath. The bloody scene is gory enough to make you wince and cover your eyes. The only notable complaint about the effects is that there wasn’t more.
At its core, albeit dramatized, Slanted is a coming-of-age story of a Chinese girl who grew up in the United States, depicting the growing pains associated with being an immigrant. Huang’s confusion about her identity led to desperation to fit in. In the end, she realizes what it means to be an American—a definition which is not limited to white skin and blonde hair.
3.5 out of 5 Stars.
Slanted takes on the tried and true trope of a high schooler losing oneself to fit in. Huang’s changes make her unrecognizable to her friends and parents—in quite the literal way.
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