I wish I knew about this film growing up. It would have opened up how I saw myself and the possibilities of what a Filipino and Asian American can do in this world. Representation means everything as a kid, and I really hope this movie is shared with more AAPI youth. Also, this is a masterpiece in acting, directing and screenwriting. So much of the film is relatable and Filipino culture is portrayed with nuance and love.Loved being able to share this with my husband. Some true struggles in the Filipino communityA film about a talented young Filipino boy Ben Mercado struggling to be accepted by America and also rejecting his Filipino heritage. He often clashes with his strict immigrant father Roland.This movie is over dramatized.This movie puts in 1.5 hours, all the possible drama living the life of a Filipino American. So sometimes you may think that it's unrealistic.... and it IS. It puts together all the possible different drama in the family. But if you want someone to understand how life is like as a flip, this movie does put it together nicely. Just dont expect a summer blockbuster, or a super tear jerk-er.Writer John Manal Castro's voice commentary with Jean Cajayon about FOBs (Fresh Of the Boat) shows his hypocrisy. In the movie they tried to show that they are against White racism when they had this one scene where a white girl called Dante Basco's character a "chink" and gave her a script instructing her to throw-up out of intoxication. They tried to show in this one scene that a person who exhibits racist and prejudicial behavior ends up humiliating themselves, thats the message I got from that one scene. But when I listened to John Manal Castro and Jean Cajayon's voice commentary I was disgusted to hear John Manal Castro calling newly arrived Filipino-immigrant kids, watching this movie at a certain movie theater, as FOBs. If he thinks calling people FOBs is acceptable then they shouldn't portray White racism as unacceptable, for the two situations are just the same condescending behavior. I hate Filipino-Americans who complains about White racism, when they themselves exhibit the same condescending attitude towards Filipinos who they consider as "boaters" or "Fresh Of the Boat."I love this movieIt was ok after seeing it the second time 9 years after. I totally forgot how the movie went when i first viewed it at the movie theaters in Fairfield, Ca in 2001. I thought (back then) this movie was the greatest when I was 19. But seeing it with more adult eyes...uh it was mediocre and overly exaggerated for the filipino-American culture. But there was some area where they did show some culture/traditional scenes from when I what I experienced as a child but none of the "c-peet" scenes. I guess I haven't been around other flip families who grew up that way.SO CUTE 10/10 cant speak highly enough of this movie. i wish it was a tv show i need like 100 more hours of this cast. great story great plot incredible tinikling scene. worth its dollars!!!!Great movie worth the purchase especially since it’s not available on line