The Farewell (2019)

When the matriarch (Zhao Shuzhen) of a Chinese family that is splintered (some live in China, some in America, some in Japan) is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, the family decides not to tell her. When her grandson (Chen Han) is getting married, the family chooses to use the wedding as an excuse for the entire family to reunite in China with the grandmother for the last time. Directed by Lulu Wang, this is a lovely film. A dramedy about family, death, cultural differences and hope. Wang finds humor in the darkest of places and never for a moment does she go the sentimental route. Still, don't be surprised if your eyes dampen by the end of the movie. The box office success of CRAZY RICH ASIANS showed there is a market for films with Asian casts and I was happy to see many non-Asian faces scattered among the audience. The movie was filmed in China and New York and Wang keeps it real by having English spoken only when it would be spoken. The film offers the opportunity for Awkwafina, usually cast as the wild and crazy Asian girl in films like OCEAN'S EIGHT and CRAZY RICH ASIANS to show some dramatic acting chops as the Chinese-American girl revisiting her roots. In the current xenophobic climate in the U.S., a film like this is greatly appreciated. With Tzi Ma, Diana Lin, Lu Hong and Jiang Yongbo.