First, to those that are pointing out and complaining about Hayden Panettere being so prominent on the DVD cover, you can't figure out why that is? I'm not even going to explain. Second, yes - there are plenty of short comings in this movie, like all the movie out there. But I really really loved this movie for what it is. I won't go into the plot and synopsis since everyone else have but I thought the acting was just incredible in this movie. The weak link is Kelly Hu. Ken and Hayden were ridiculously great. One of the worst parts of the movie is that there weren't enough of Hyden's scenes because she does such an awesome job!!! The scene from the movie theater (funniest and most heart breaking scene ever) and when is being driven to her school...not to mention the laundromat scene and the ending scene are all done to perfection.As for the unbelievable storyline, I can see why some would think that. A young, hot blonde girl falling in love with (much) older Asian guy? How unrealistic is that? The fact is, it is rather uncommon but not an impossibility. It probably happens more often in the west coast (SF, LA, etc) than in the east coast but things are changing. I am Asian and I met one of gf's when she was half my age. She was white. And, not to go off on a tangent, Asian men tend to look much younger than their age...so we actually looked like we were in the same age group. Nobody ever questioned our age differences. Yes - how they meet in the movie is a bit contrived. Yes - the ending is a bit too hopeful. But so what!!?? It's a romantic comedy with a great message. Ken Leung's character starts off being really unlikeable actually - he is a womanizer, he is lazy with nothing but excuses and still living off of his father... but he does have his set of moral values and, in the end, becomes a lovable character. I just wish they kissed in the end when she turned 18. I would really love to see a part 2!!

just to start....its awesome!!!....its been years for me seeing a film like this....the film is so good....to start from ken...he lives a role of an American born Chinese...talks like one and plays with girls like a born player....great acting....to tell about Hayden...she just steals every male heart seeing the film....i really loved the way she speaks....and everyone in the film from ken's friend to Kelly....from ken's father to Kelly's boyfriend....they deliver their best....the film delivers a perfect love drama mixed with coming to age type a genre....the scene in which ken finds out what has really been written in tat Chinese letter,raises eyebrows with a smile and a tear.i really loved the way the film was made....the role of ken just shows my very own image to me.This film is one of the best in my list. after seeing this film i wish i too had a girl like Hayden!!! MUST SEE FILM FOLKS...DON'T MISS IT!!!

might have spoilers!!!I m still confused why this movie received such a high rating on IMDb. It is poorly directed(so what if its his first), has average actors and a shitty story line. This is an attempt by an inferiority complex-ed Chinese guy to lash out at the "snobbish" Americans. Ken leung is rather pathetic, he manages to "score" white chicks with stupid lines and then gets to act all superior towards them. And whats with the stories of childhood harassment(we are discussing a 7 yrs old's penis...??) Hayden is rather irritating at times and obviously retarded cause she picks up bored looking Chinese men from a bus.Then tries desperately to act like a 16 yr old, with her weird antics. and kelly hu, although hot, is useless, whats with all the crap about Chinese way of life and low wages.?? Give me a break. Please avoid this by all means.

Regardless of some of the stereotypical female characters, unrealistic situations (i.e. white girl picking up Asian guy on a bus), this movie explores some very real issues and important themes.One of the reasons i think this movie has been taking a lot of flak for its characters development is its the first of its kind to have a Asian American MALE LEAD who DOESN"T fit the stereotypical molds. So obviously, lots of things are unrealistic. But lets examine why they seem unrealistic and seemingly improbable. It is because its never been portrayed.Media defines culture. Music, movies, literature, art, these things are what defines culture, so obviously anything that happens in the world that can be attributed to any of the aforementioned mediums has credibility and realism, and anything that does not seem improbable. But we have to remember, HUMAN BEINGS write literature, create art, make music and direct movies. WE are in control of what defines us, and i think this movie does a great job in creating a NEW definition of what normal Asian Americans can be like, again it is a movie, so its hypothetical. Does anyone not watch spider man? Again the point is not about whether its realistic, because it is, i've seen it and i've been where this character's been, the emotions that are portrayed are very real, and if your not Asian American, or are not 1.5 generational Asian American, then you simply do not experience this cultural identity confusion and you probably will not understand this movie. But for those who fit the description and can identify with ken leung's character, this movie contains very real emotions, and of course we should be the ones that like this movie. it is kind of a movie about Asian Americans.