Audrey (Ashley Park) and Lolo (Sherry Cola) have been best friends since they were kids. Growing up in a predominantly white suburb of Seattle they supported each other as Asian Americans. When Audrey gets an opportunity to travel to China for work she brings Lolo along as a translator and along with Lolo’s cousin Deadeye (Sabrina Wu) and Audrey’s college friend Kat (Stephanie Hsu) they set out for what will turn out to be a wild ride.

Joy Ride is the sort of outrageous comedy that would probably make a good double bill with Bridesmaids. Four women talking openly about sex, drugs and having a good time whilst also trying to understand who they are by way of understanding their origin. This final story beat is due to Audrey having been adopted and using the trip to try and find her birth mother. 

The result is around an hour of absolute hilarity followed by half an hour of slightly forced drama when the friends fall out and a moment of tragedy strikes. I could be slightly cynical here but as well acted as the tearful moments are it felt like a whiplash story pivot that was slightly unearned. However the humour is outstanding and well worth getting on this ride for. 

The four leads are wonderful and share a genuine connection that makes their friendship believable. Whilst comedy sketches around drug smuggling, a travelling basketball team and keeping up with alcoholic businessmen all stick in the memory after the film. 

Raucously funny with a dip at the end for gravitas.