By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 3 cats
Director: Wayne Wang
Starring: Christina July Kim | Jackie Chung | John Lie | Justin Chon
Country: south_korea, united_states
Year: 2020
Running time: 86
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10687166/reference
Michael says: “This gentle film about losing a parent was based on an autobiographical ‘New Yorker’ essay written by Chang-Rae Lee, who then co-wrote the screenplay with director Wayne Wang, best known for his adaptation of Amy Tan’s THE JOY LUCK CLUB. It focuses on a young man who returns to New York from the West Coast to take care of his mother who is in the last stages of terminal cancer. Their bond is a little strained, but they always had food in common, and the man remembers fondly watching (or perhaps helping) his mother prepare traditional Korean meals for him. The film unfolds slowly, with static camera shots waiting for someone to move into frame.. I enjoyed the stillness quite a bit and the leisurely way the relationship between mother and son is revealed. Seeing this film so close to TIGERTAIL makes me wonder about the emotionally reserved nature of Asian parenting that seems to be underscored by these two films. The film jumps back and forth in time, showing us moments that impacted the man as he grew up, building toward a climactic Korean New Year’s feast that he prepares in honor of his mother. Sadly, her stomach cancer has progressed so far a single bite makes her gag, unable to swallow anything. It’s a heartbreaking moment, but the man’s reaction seems strangely off, and I wonder what the author was trying to say.
“The film stumbles when it comes to any other characters, such as the man’s father and sister. They are barely sketched in serving as placeholders for disappointment in the former, and tunnel-vision in the latter. During out post-film discussion, it was nice that Diane had read the essay and pointed out many of the substantial ways that things had been changed. Presumably to add a bit more tension in to the film, but I really don’t think it was needed. Wang employs some very effective methods to tell his story: the afore-mentioned static shots, how nearly every scenes took place in one location, and the single outdoor location also introduced a completely different side of the main character, the use of light and sound. I wanted to like this film more than I did… I’m on a roll with films that revolve around coping with grief, but unfortunately, it came up good, but short. 3 cats”
Bob says: “A man goes home to SF to take care of his dying mother. Subtle, washed out colors; unflinchingly sad.
“Mostly shot in long takes with a static camera, often watching people through doorways or windows, but those shots are juxtaposed with the occasional handheld shot that seems unnecessarily shaky, and I haven’t figured out why.”
Chris says: “Wayne Wang’s been better, but he’s also been worse. Has some well-observed moments and Jackie Chung is very good as the mom. 3 cats”