the story of Chinese in north america is one of early struggle, setback and final triumph. and so it goes with this film.
spoilers !
a young chinese man caught between the old ways and the new is given the opportunity of starting a family as the draconian laws forbidding chinese immigrants from bring their wives to america are finally rescinded due to his contribution to the war effort. it is an arranged marriage to the lovely Mei Oi (played by the vivacious Cora Miao).
but things start to unravel when pressures from his job lead to a period of impotence and the young wife succumbs to an indiscretion. gossips have a field day and it looks like things are headed for tragedy.
but the human spirit prevails and all is forgiven and they live happily ever after, having lots of babies just like the chinese-american dream.
it is a simple straightforward film, like the life experience for a lot of immigrants of all races and ethnic background.
one aspect of the film which was unrealistic is the fact everyone speaks english except in China, and even there they do speak some. my wife is Chinese and when I am out with her family and friends they all speak Chinese even though everyone is very fluent in english. but for the sake of a fine film I will make that one concession.
the acting was a bit stilted at some points but that is to be expected with a lot of authentic extras. the film provides a glimpse into another aspect of the Chinese experience in north america; that experience is very similar in Canada as well as USA.
get to know some Chinese friends, they are very hard working and family oriented (pun intended). and that is meant in the most respectful way. also, read up on Chinese history, that nation has many lessons to teach the rest of the world, and we can hope and pray the Chinese people eventually finally and totally heave the despotism that was and is part of their experience.
spoilers !
a young chinese man caught between the old ways and the new is given the opportunity of starting a family as the draconian laws forbidding chinese immigrants from bring their wives to america are finally rescinded due to his contribution to the war effort. it is an arranged marriage to the lovely Mei Oi (played by the vivacious Cora Miao).
but things start to unravel when pressures from his job lead to a period of impotence and the young wife succumbs to an indiscretion. gossips have a field day and it looks like things are headed for tragedy.
but the human spirit prevails and all is forgiven and they live happily ever after, having lots of babies just like the chinese-american dream.
it is a simple straightforward film, like the life experience for a lot of immigrants of all races and ethnic background.
one aspect of the film which was unrealistic is the fact everyone speaks english except in China, and even there they do speak some. my wife is Chinese and when I am out with her family and friends they all speak Chinese even though everyone is very fluent in english. but for the sake of a fine film I will make that one concession.
the acting was a bit stilted at some points but that is to be expected with a lot of authentic extras. the film provides a glimpse into another aspect of the Chinese experience in north america; that experience is very similar in Canada as well as USA.
get to know some Chinese friends, they are very hard working and family oriented (pun intended). and that is meant in the most respectful way. also, read up on Chinese history, that nation has many lessons to teach the rest of the world, and we can hope and pray the Chinese people eventually finally and totally heave the despotism that was and is part of their experience.