The Wedding Banquet (Hsi yen)

Released 1993
Stars Winston Chao, May Chin, Mitchell Lichtenstein, Sihung Lung, Ah-Leh Gua
Directed by Ang Lee

Wai-Tung (Winston Chao) has a problem. Living in New York with a well-paying job, a nice home, and a stable relationship (with Simon, played by Mitchell Lichtenstein), everything appears to be going his way. But his parents, unaware of his homosexual proclivities, are expecting a marriage and grandchildren, and Wai hasn't been able to get up the courage to tell them that he's gay. Meanwhile, Wei Wei (May Chin), a tenant in a building owned by Wai, has to find a way to obtain a green card or be deported. A solution to both problems is proposed: a marriage of convenience. Once agreed to by both parties, the arrangements are made, and everything seems to be working out well until Wai's parents arrive from China to plan the wedding banquet.

What at first seems like a simple romantic comedy is actually a deceptively perceptive look at cultural, sexual, and generational differences. And, despite The Wedding Banquet's often-light, occasionally-playful tone, a forceful dramatic structure underlies the film. Of course, this is what usually makes for the best kind of comedy -- a movie that cares more about its story and characters than making people laugh. Chinese-American writer/director/producer Ang Lee displays a remarkable aptitude for presenting a balanced view of issues while avoiding the dangerous trap of cliches and stereotypes. All the characters have their own unique identities.

Summary by James Berardinelli

This is a simple story idea we've seen many times before, but Ang Lee and company did something different with it. They didn't take it in either a sitcom or tearjerker direction, but instead made a low-key dramedy. It gives precedence to its characters over histrionics, and it's a surpisingly nice little movie. I thought May Chin was especially good as Wei Wei, and the parents were pitch perfect. Winston Chao, on the other hand, was disappointingly wooden. It made it difficult to believe Simon, Wei Wei, and even his parents could be so love in with him. That was distracting, but it's a pleasant little movie. --Bill Alward, January 18, 2005