Friday, July 26, 2019

The Farewell

crazy rich asians china rich girlfriend lulu wang teresa nguyen Asian Film Festival of Dallas

In a summer full of reboots and remakes, when movie marquees have the same titles as they did in 1995, The Farewell is a welcome treat. 

Lulu Wang’s semiautobiographical film got its start with a 2016 In Defense of Ignorance episode of the This American Life radio program, which recounted the story of a Chinese-American woman and her family. Billi (played in the film by Awkwafina) learns from her parents that her beloved grandmother has been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. True to certain Chinese traditions, the family chooses to keep the truth from Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen), and plans a final visit to the Chinese city of Changchun — under the guise of a family wedding. The story begins as Billi is forced to go along with her family’s deception and partake in its big, little lie.

If you’re now expecting a heavy, angry family drama, you are incorrect. The Farewell is funny, affectionate and deeply moving. Awkwafina (Ocean’s 8, Crazy Rich Asians) leads an impeccably cast ensemble. She’s a major talent, offering remarkable versatility for this role.

When director Lulu Wang screened this film for the Asian Film Festival of Dallas, she noted that she cast Awkwafina before her recent hit movies, when she was known mostly as the rapper of My Vag. Yet, you can’t imagine this movie without her.

While the film shows China with great affection, it's ultimately a universal story. And its one of the best films of the year. 


In a nutshell: The characters all try to hide their feelings, but this must-see film goes for the heart.

Award potential: If this film gets noticed, it could land nods for Awkwafina and Zhao Shuzhen at the Golden Globes. I’d argue that a scene with Zhao placing her hand on the family car should earn her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

A summer indie film has an uphill battle being remembered in January, but it should be included in any respected list of the year’s top films.
 

The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.





Monday, July 1, 2019

Yesterday

"It’s not Coldplay. It’s not Fix You," but it is the best rom com of 2019 so far.

Not many high-concept premises truly come together as breezy, comedic fun. This year’s best comedies (Late Night, Long Shot and Isn’t It Romantic) still struggled and felt strained by their premise — and only one of them was supposed to be a fantasy. Luckily, Yesterday defies the odds and brings smiles and a few surprises to the rom com format.

It gets by with a little help from director Danny Boyle (Trainspotting) and screenwriter Richard Curtis (Love Actually) who take a fantasy concept (a world where only one man remembers the Beatles) and magically keep it light and interesting for almost two hours.

Jack (Himesh Patel) and Eliie (Lily James) are a delightful and convincing romantic couple. To be clear, they don’t reach the timeless heights of Harry and Sally nor anyone from Love Actually, but this pairing works better than any rom com I’ve seen since last year’s Crazy Rich Asians. 

There’s a love-it/hate-it moment in the final arc of the film. It betrayed the films tone to me, but everyone with me loved it, and thought it was essential. 


I don't care. I bought everything else and was glad to buy this ticket too.

In a nutshell: Not revolutionary, but not predictable. Quality, escapist fun, in an “all you need is love” kinda way.

Award potential: Some potential Golden Globe nominations in their Best Comedy category.

The Ten Buck Review: Worth ten bucks.