
Excellent Asian-American Story
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this movie. I didn't know exactly what to expect when my girlfriend told me I should try to get this movie on Ebay. She had seen the movie about 10 years ago, and she thought I would like it. She's an Asian-American, and although I had never really thought of buying any Asian plot based movies before going out with her, she got me to watch excellent films such as Memoirs of a Geisha and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, so I trusted her judgment when she said that I would like The Joy Luck Club.
The movie far exceeded any expectations I had foreseen, it's an absolutely wonderful story about Chinese women who had struggled in China and after they have come to America have struggles with their Chinese-American daughters.
The story is sad but exceptional. One of the daughters has heard the story of her two twin sisters several times, that their mother didn't have the strength to carry them over the treacherous land in China, so they were left at a tree, not knowing what had become of them. Midway through the film, she learns that they are still alive (although tragically their mother has died), so she plans a trip to China to see them, not knowing that her "Aunty" (who found the twin sisters through a search agency) had signed her mother's name, meaning that the twins thought their mother was still alive. Now she must face her sisters that she has never met, and she has to give them the news of their departed mother. That's where the story ultimately ends, but there are several key leadups to this.
The Joy Luck Club is an outstanding story (I can't believe I never heard of it before my girlfriend recommended it to me). There are many life lessons in the story. It lets you see into the culture of the Chinese, while also seeing how they struggle to adapt to American ways, and also to struggle with their own family as their daughters begin learning American culture and start dating white American men. I definitely recommend this movie to all. The movie is rated R, but I have no idea why. There is minimal language, sexuality, and violence (but a movie like Lord of the Rings is rated PG-13). Go figure. Regardless, the performances are unforgettable, and it's a story that'll leave few without tears. It's a witty, tragic, and joyous film that'll touch your heart and make you laugh endlessly (I had to stop the film a couple of times because I was laughing so hard). I don't believe there is any need to rent this one to preview it, it's an excellent story that can be watched over and over again. If you have seen and like either Memoirs of a Geisha or Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (or even if you haven't), you'll definitely like this movie as well. In fact, I prefer Joy Luck Club to both of those movies. It's a movie that I am proud to say that I own.
Review ID: 10000000003408711

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