12) Monsoon
A gorgeous film that I wish I could’ve seen in a theater, Monsoon shows Henry Golding step away from the blockbusters and big-budget romances and giving a more heartfelt and touching performance. The story about a British-Vietnamese man returning to Vietnam 30+ later is touching, showing the challenges of an identity crisis with sensitivity. The film is very personal, as the director, Hong Khaou, based the film heavily on his own experiences when his family fled Vietnam when he was young. While Khaou’s direction is confident and gorgeous, Henry Golding is what makes this film work. While he still maintains the charm of his Crazy Rich Asian days, here the charm feels less flashy, instead more rustic and subtle. He feels like more like a regular guy, even if his natural charisma takes you out of the film a bit. Khaou gives Golding the opportunity to show more range and psychological baggage, which is deeply welcome. Monsoon is a compellingly empathetic film about cultural identity that is well worth giving a watch thanks to a combination of stellar performances, a tight story at just under 90 minutes (a rarity nowadays and very welcome), and a passionate director at the helm.
