This engaging comedy-drama set in New York's Chinatown examines an intriguing post-WWII American phenomenon: after years of strict immigration laws and forced separation of spouses, Chinese immigrants were finally able to bring their mates to the US. For longtime residents of Chinatown,
it was too late to effect conjugal reunions, but many older Chinese-American men wanted their sons to provide them with grandchildren by finding brides in China.
Director Wang (CHAN IS MISSING, DIM SUM) and screenwriter Rascoe have fashioned a graceful movie powered by deliciously eccentric characters, bringing to the screen a slice of American life unfamiliar to many. Abounding in magical moments (like the scene in which the two young leads fall in love
in front of an outdoor screen on which LOST HORIZON is playing), the film cleverly parallels the difficulties of adjusting to a foreign culture with those of adjusting to a new marriage. The result is both a perceptive historical document and a captivating love story. leave a comment