The Farewell (B+ or 3/4 stars)
Written & directed by Lulu Wang, based on her own experiences, and opening with the tag line "based on an actual lie" ... 'The Farewell' centers on a Chinese-American Brooklynite artist, Billi (Awkwafina), who finds out that her beloved grandma in China, Nai Nai (Shuzhen Zhou), is dying of Stage 4 cancer. This utterly crushes Billi. And she's further flummoxed with the news that her extended family is keeping from the terminally ill woman in the dark about her diagnosis; believing that the anxiety could kill her before the cancer does {she is told that she is suffering from after effects of pneumonia}. Her family - comprised of 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-law, & 2 grandchildren - travel to northeastern China for one last visit with her.
So as not to raise suspicions about the real reason for their visit, they concoct a ruse; a fake wedding for Billi's younger cousin, Hao Hao (Han Chen). What looks to be a joyful occasion for the oblivious Nai Nai is simultaneously a melancholy experience for her family, who must find their own way to say 'farewell' without her discovering the truth. See, Americanized Billi believes that suppressing her grief & keeping the illness a secret is flat-out wrong, morally, ethically & legally. But as the family reunion progresses, she slowly starts to appreciate the inherent value of the deception to Nai Nai, but also of her Chinese culture. Americans tend to choose the 'individual' over family. But Eastern philosophy emphasizes balance & harmony, minimizing conflicts, & stresses a collective consciousness -- this is why the family chooses not to tell Nai-Nai.
This is a small, simple, but warm & effective film that sheds light on Chinese culture/philosophy while also delivering an emotionally satisfying drama. It is odd to call a film about cancer/death a 'feel good experience' - I'm reminded of 2009's 50/50 - but writer/director Lulu Wang makes it work. Who knew that the end result would be as life-affirming & uplifting as it is? And that's not even counting the film's final moment, which kinda blew my mind.
Eccentric rapper/comedienne Awkwafina entertained me in Ocean's 8 & Crazy Rich Asians, but she digs deeper here in 'The Farewell' to very good effect. Every scene requires low-key sadness, guilt, frustration and, she nails those emotions. The result is a grounded young woman dealing believably with legitimate familial issues. And I admire the way she has Billi try desperately to maintain her composure for every moment that she is around her beloved Nai Nai. Speaking of Nai Nai, Shuzhen Zhao gives such a warm, tender, funny performance; she is the kind of grandma that everybody in this world - no less China - would love to have. And the fact that she doesn't know her fate gives the performance all the more heft & heartbreak.
You know, 'The Farewell' has been heralded as one of - if not THE - best films of 2019 to this point (mid-August). It's surely very good. I liked the affection for its characters. But perhaps I am in the minority in saying that was something lacking. An element of surprise? Narrative propulsion? I'm not saying I don't love a gentle film. But the film is artfully subtle to a fault. Also, lines of dialogue & various visual cues start to become repetitive after the initial problem surfaces {don't tell Nai Nai she's sick} -- there are only so many scenes I can take of family members trying to keep the truth from Nai Nai before it becomes superfluous. 'The Farewell' is very endearing and necessary in showcasing diversity & inclusivity in cinema ... but it is simply missing the something that makes me feel like I just watched a masterpiece.
So as not to raise suspicions about the real reason for their visit, they concoct a ruse; a fake wedding for Billi's younger cousin, Hao Hao (Han Chen). What looks to be a joyful occasion for the oblivious Nai Nai is simultaneously a melancholy experience for her family, who must find their own way to say 'farewell' without her discovering the truth. See, Americanized Billi believes that suppressing her grief & keeping the illness a secret is flat-out wrong, morally, ethically & legally. But as the family reunion progresses, she slowly starts to appreciate the inherent value of the deception to Nai Nai, but also of her Chinese culture. Americans tend to choose the 'individual' over family. But Eastern philosophy emphasizes balance & harmony, minimizing conflicts, & stresses a collective consciousness -- this is why the family chooses not to tell Nai-Nai.
This is a small, simple, but warm & effective film that sheds light on Chinese culture/philosophy while also delivering an emotionally satisfying drama. It is odd to call a film about cancer/death a 'feel good experience' - I'm reminded of 2009's 50/50 - but writer/director Lulu Wang makes it work. Who knew that the end result would be as life-affirming & uplifting as it is? And that's not even counting the film's final moment, which kinda blew my mind.
Eccentric rapper/comedienne Awkwafina entertained me in Ocean's 8 & Crazy Rich Asians, but she digs deeper here in 'The Farewell' to very good effect. Every scene requires low-key sadness, guilt, frustration and, she nails those emotions. The result is a grounded young woman dealing believably with legitimate familial issues. And I admire the way she has Billi try desperately to maintain her composure for every moment that she is around her beloved Nai Nai. Speaking of Nai Nai, Shuzhen Zhao gives such a warm, tender, funny performance; she is the kind of grandma that everybody in this world - no less China - would love to have. And the fact that she doesn't know her fate gives the performance all the more heft & heartbreak.
You know, 'The Farewell' has been heralded as one of - if not THE - best films of 2019 to this point (mid-August). It's surely very good. I liked the affection for its characters. But perhaps I am in the minority in saying that was something lacking. An element of surprise? Narrative propulsion? I'm not saying I don't love a gentle film. But the film is artfully subtle to a fault. Also, lines of dialogue & various visual cues start to become repetitive after the initial problem surfaces {don't tell Nai Nai she's sick} -- there are only so many scenes I can take of family members trying to keep the truth from Nai Nai before it becomes superfluous. 'The Farewell' is very endearing and necessary in showcasing diversity & inclusivity in cinema ... but it is simply missing the something that makes me feel like I just watched a masterpiece.