“The Farewell” is a charming film written and directed by
Lulu Wang with a Chinese cast who speak both Chinese and English throughout (since a lot of the filming
occurred in New York City with the remainder in a suburb of Beijing. I mention
this because many viewers are turned off by English titles but this film’s intermingling
of English and Chinese dialogue makes it an enjoyable experience in spite of
anyone’s aversion to this process. This review contains no spoiler since the
film’s trailers and advertising let the prospective viewer know that this movie
involves a Chinese family coping with the news that the beloved grandmother has
been given only weeks to live and, per cultural customs, has decided to keep
the news from her so that she can “enjoy” her remaining time with them. The
lead actress, Akwafina, plays the U.S based granddaughter who travels to China
to join the rest of her family there. It is this interplay with all her
relatives that affords the writer/director the opportunity to create and blend
comedy and drama all in the same vehicle. The film captures the essence of what
true family is all about regardless of the culture, race or location of the
events that may befall them. It is the film’s universal appeal and fine acting that
earns this film a 3 and ½ star rating
and, if nothing else, will, to quote Ms. Wang, "make those leaving theater feel the need to call
their grandmother".
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