Too much of everything

Simply Perfect

As Good As It Gets

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The Joy Luck Club is an accessible epic that spans through generations. The story essentially revolves around a cultural gap and a generational gap as a group of Chinese-American girls who grew up in America struggle against the wishes of their mothers (who in turn grew up in Mainland China decades ago). The mothers suffered in a time during Chinese history where slavery is a driving force between ownership, thus provoking them to have a painful life. They want their daughters to fight like a lion in order to have a less painful life but in the contextual culture of modernism, the daughters see this as a lack of care and more like a reckless lesson. As we get to unfold more of the history between the family sagas, we are able to see the scope of the generation and how one small action may affect the lives of many other characters.As a film categorized as a "chick-flick", this shouldn't be underestimated. This deals with some painfully cultural references regarding the history of China. This film is able to wove both the present and the past properly like a prettily neat tapestry. We get to see the cultural tradition of China and the film really did its job for it to set the proper tone of the events that take place; a work of art complete with an ensemble of Chinese instruments with breathtaking shots of mountains, temples and the Chinese countryside. Even the costumes (during the past) helped color what some people may consider a somewhat bleak plot. The narration was decent enough for the viewer to comprehend the events of the story and it was quite interesting to watch how the film interconnected the Chinese and American culture during the present. There was a strong emotional strife but was handled well enough. There seemed to be a lot of drama recurring between the families and at a certain point it felt unnecessarily sentimental and melodramatic but the filmmakers were smart enough to tone it down for it to give the audience air to breathe. It didn't get too soapy with the characters (which were mostly well acted) and everything else was realistic enough for me to buy in. There was also enough energy throughout to boost some of the longer scenes which could've been cut or edited. Sometimes it felt tiring, the plot circling around with not much development within its circumstances. As a Mandarin student, it was definitely interesting to watch a dysfunctional family and what they need to do in order to live the way they need to live. It's also nice seeing familiar Chinese traits such as being an obedient child, respecting one's elders and honoring one's past ancestors. Although the characters faced a lot of trials and tribulations during the film, there seemed to be an underlying heart behind all of this and behind some of the more slower paced scenes. It presents a touching message on maternity and the idyllic paramount of happiness one may attain over a rectification of conflict over a familial epic. It's beautiful I'd say, beautiful.

As an Asian in the US I really hate this movie. I think it's a very narrow one-sided and stereotypical portray of Asians. All the Asian women have terrible stories of being dominated by jerks (usually the husband). I must say that some of the cultural and historical background is true and I will admit that some of these do reflect reality in China or Asian cultures, but it is overly dramatized and exaggerated. The plot has so much room to play with that I expect to have more breadth and diversity. It just seems unrealistic that all 8 women have such tragic lives. It bothers me so much that this is the way China and Asian cultures are being portrayed in a movie that is popular in the west.In the scene where Waverly brings her white fiancé Rich home, Rich didn't know some Chinese dining etiquette. When Waverly's mother said her fish is not salty, she was being humble and actually wanted everyone to praise it. Rich actually criticized the dish and just poured soy sauce on the fish. It hardly seems like something anyone with decent manner would do. The character of Harold, who is Lena's husband and splits the cost of everything they share, and Lin-Xiao, who is Yingying's ex-husband and abused her and openly brought his mistress home, both seem overly flat, dramatized and unreal. There are also many noticeable flaws in the plot. For example, Ted became bored in his marriage with Rose because Rose has lost herself and let Ted makes all the decisions. Ted was going to divorce her for another women. During the divorce, Rose realized her mistakes and yelled at him "Get out of my house" and the next thing we know they are back together. The film never explained how the 4 women came to the US too.Besides the plot, the acting, filming, editing, etc. are actually good. It's annoying some people in the scenes in China speaks mandarin with an American ascent but I'll give them a break.

The Joy Luck Club should be condemned, not praised!! These women are sell outs!! First of all, why is the film only about the women? What about the Asian men? There isn't a single leading Asian male character! This film portrays marriage to an Asian man so negatively, while the rich white husbands are portrayed so positively. This is shocking because the Asian men I know are not like this at all. They are much more caring, strong and masculine than this. In fact, I have heard of many white husbands in the news who get drunk and beat or even kill their Asian wives. The Asian men I know are worthy candidates for marriage and are never aggressive toward women.These Asian mothers toiled through sweat, tears and blood, surviving a brutal war to come to America. And what do their daughters do in return? They forget all the hardship their mothers endured and marry the first rich white man they meet!! Instead of working hard for their money like their mothers, they want to be pampered by their rich white husbands and live an easy life of luxury through marriage! These women basically sell their bodies, beautifying themselves according to Western standards of beauty, while trying to sound educated so they can enter upper class society. They basically use their sexuality as a tool to move upward in social class through marriage. This, my friends, is a form of PROSTITUTION!! Whether these women are doing this consciously or subconsciously, they are engaging in prostitution. Is that really all an Asian woman has to offer society?This is an absolute disgrace and an incredible insult to all the real, hard working Asian-Americans in the United States, many who struggle in poverty and have no real voice in society. Any dignified Asian woman should realize that this film is Westernized propaganda, teaching Asian- Americans that white is better, that Asian men are terrible lovers, and to look the other way as their heritage gradually erodes. Tell me, how many objects of Asian cultural heritage can you find in the homes of their white husbands, even after marrying their Asian wives? Can you find even one painting or vase?This film teaches Asian women to scorn their Asian men, even their own fathers, and to learn to "put up" with their mothers, who are an "obstacle" to be dealt with. This film does not empower Asian-Americans. Instead, this film brainwashes them to gradually despise themselves as they develop a crippling inferiority complex and a bitter sense of self- hatred. To make matters worse, The Joy Luck Club portrays the so-called "Asian-American experience" solely through the voices of women, while completely ignoring the male experience. This film is damaging and should be viewed as a negative scar that Asian-Americans must move away from.

The Joy Luck Club is a film about the relationships between Chinese- American women and their Chinese mothers.It has a cast of Asian-American actresses such as Ming-Na,Rosalind Chao,Lauren Tom,France Nuyen,Tamlyn Tomita,Kieu Chinh,Lisa Lu and Tsai Chin. It is based on the novel of the same title by Amy Tan, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Ronald Bass.The film was directed by Wayne Wang.The film takes place in present-day San Francisco, concentrating on a group of late-middle-aged Chinese women. Ever since arriving in the United States after World War II, the women have gathered weekly to play mah-jongg and to tell stories, regaling each other with tales of their children and grandchildren, giving each other a sense of hope and renewal in the midst of poverty and hardship. The Joy Luck Club is made up of four women -- Suyuan, Lindo, Ying Ying, and An Mei. But when Suyuan dies, the three surviving members invite Suyuan's daughter June to take her place. Along with the daughters of the other members -- Waverly, Lena, and Rose -- June is a Chinese-American with only a passing interest in her rich cultural heritage. But through vignettes that switch back and forth in time, the daughters begin to appreciate the struggles of their mothers to start their families in the optimistic promise of the United States.The movie gives refreshing -- and bittersweet -- dimension to the age- old clash between generations.Four different actresses play the aunties in their youth, which sometimes keeps us struggling to keep the stories straight. That we do is a tribute about the miscommunication that separates one generation from another.Also,it is one of the most touching and moving films ever released on screen that it deserves every tear it wrenches from your eyes.Most of all,it is a great adaptation of a best-selling novel.