Debbie Lum’s Try Harder! is a thoroughly compelling look at the struggles of high school students in a prestigious public high school as they attempt to apply for elite universities. The students that Lum chooses to follow make for great interview subjects and provide a range of the experiences and reactions to the familial and societal pressures and expectations. Even though the film has a light tone through much of its runtime, it never shies away from exploring the racism that’s baked into the college admissions process and the ways university recruiters rely on stereotypes of Asian American teenagers during the application process. There are genuinely moving and heartbreaking moments throughout, as well as moments of genuine triumph. And as competition for college placement continues to get even more intense across our country (exacerbated by the pandemic), the film is a good reminder that the system we have in place now puts an inordinate amount of pressure on students. This is a really strong, very enjoyable film that’s more timely and relevant than ever.