New Times (L.A.) by David Ehrenstein

The cast is uniformly excellent; all involved seem keyed into the subtextual subtleties of a story that, while simple on the surface, is exceedingly rich underneath.

Los Angeles Times by Kevin Thomas

Illuminating as it is entertaining.

Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert

Familiar in its story arc, but fresh in its energy and lucky in its choice of actors.

Chicago Tribune by Kevin M. Williams

Delightful coming-of-age film that becomes universal by way of its subject matter.

L.A. Weekly by Chuck Wilson

Having built his cast from friends and family, the director is left with some stilted acting, but that's easily outweighed by the film's infectious enthusiasm.

The New York Times by Lawrence Van Gelder

Sometimes amateurishly acted by the appealing younger cast but is nonetheless a neat blend of well-drawn major characters and drama, music, dance, romance and humor that generates considerable charm and achieves a heartwarming resolution of its generational conflict.

New York Daily News by Elizabeth Weitzman

A likable, if somewhat earnest, exploration of cultural identity.

Washington Post by Michael O'Sullivan

It is also, despite the all-too-rare focus on the Filipino American community, a creakily familiar take on an age-old family dynamic.

Village Voice by Laura Sinagra

Has a sweet low-budget quality that sometimes slips into TV-movie schmaltz.

San Francisco Chronicle by Edward Guthmann

A melodramatic yarn that transcends some of its technical and storytelling flaws through the cheery energy and sincerity of its cast.