That Awkwafina Moment.
100 Mins. Starring: Awkwafina, Tzi Ma, Diana Lin, Jiang Yongbo, Lu Hong & Zhao Shuzhen. Director: Lulu Wang.
Concluding our look back at the movies we missed last year during this quarantine with 'The Farewell', what better way to say goodbye? Although we are a long way from leaving our living rooms in social isolation right now...so how about another recommendation? Over the last couple of years in what seems like a day (how about the last few months that have seemed like a year?), indie film distributor A24 has also become the best. You only have to see 'The Lighthouse' this year, or 'Uncut Gems' to point towards two of the most Academy underrated award worthy movies and performances of the last calendar like this one. That finds itself like the aforementioned in the same light as the 'Under The Skin', 'Locke', 'A Most Violent Year', 'Ex Machina', 'Room', 'The Lobster', 'Moonlight', 'A Ghost Story', 'The Florida Project', 'The Killing Of A Sacred Deer', 'Ladybird', 'First Reformed', 'Hereditary', 'Midsommar', 'Mid90's' and 'The Last Black Man In San Francisco' best. And you should see the rest. The only thing that rivals it...especially right now...is...well...you know...Netflix. The streaming service with no chill despite what your date thinks. And right now when the tiger style of 'Tigertail' starring Asian/American legend Tzi Ma is the real Tiger King Carole Baskin, based on the life of Alan Yang's father, 'The Farwell' also co-starring Tzi Ma is a picture portrait of family history that rapper slash actor Awkwafina just had to make...before it's too late.
Tragedy despite the comedy probably isn't the most appropriate subject matter for a movie right now...even in catharsis. Especially with so many families losing their relatives to this cruel and relentless disease without the opportunity or even the right to say goodbye. Although in these times of corona were xenophobia and racism is more rampant than it usually already is thanks to some Trumped up, hateful bullshit wrongly calling this thing the "Chinese virus", it's time to take a look at a family that's just like you and me. Even if they do do things differently. Everybody loves and everybody hurts. And everybody deserves what their worth. Don't sell individuals short on what you think is a collective truth. Especially when it is based on a notion that is false. Sure the virus started in China, but now we are all contributors and spreaders of the disease the more we don't stay safe and at home, putting our lives and more importantly the lives of others, including our loved ones at risk. We are all accountable. We all need to take responsibility. But I digress. In this 'Crazy, Rich Asians' revolution, this movie is so good and yet underrated it belongs in the Oscars like the Best Picture and international one and worldwide juggernaut of dynamic director and script flipping writer Bong Joon-ho's perfect 'Parasite' classic. 'The Farewell' whose Chinese titles translate to "Don't Tell Her" concerns a Chinese/American family who on receiving the terminal diagnosis of Awkwafina's grandmother character Nai Nai decide to keep her in the dark for her own good and not tell her, such is the traditional Chinese way and cultural beliefs. Instead they stage a faux wedding to get everyone together to say goodbye (you thought there were tears at your father of the bride speech. How about Jiang Yongbo scene and movie stealing with his heartfelt performance?) and pay their respects, "subtly", without letting on. Sound contrived? Well it's actually somewhat beautiful and best of a bad situation, well intentioned in its moving meaning. Gathering everyone together with genuine concern for a fake ceremony is something like 'Tigertail's' Yang that is close to 'Posthumous' director Lulu Wang's heart and life experiences for her magnificent moment in movie history. Nothing is as nearer and dearer to the hearts of moviegoers than what is closest to ours. And airing our her radio story 'What You Don't Know' Lulu shows us something we can all relate to, even if 'This American Life' experience isn't one we all directly share...we can still be distant cousin to that feeling. The Sundance and Golden Globe nominated movie is like 'Tigertail' (belonging in a big-three right now with that 'Parasite') not only one of the best pictures in any culture, but also the most important...for any family. And with another subtly restrained and soulfully nuanced performance from 'Rush Hour' and 'Arrival' actor Tzi Ma, it's the tail end of revolutionary, cornerstone pieces of Asian and American cinema that are as deeply personal as they are groundbreaking. Don't you know?
Awkwafina is absolutely amazing at this 'Farwell'. Now we can answer Smokey Robinson about "what's so good about goodbye" with this miracle. The 'Crazy, Rich Asians' and 'Oceans 8' stand-up hilarious game changer-last seen in scene on 'The Next Level' of 'Jumani' channeling Danny Glover and DeVito-is at her soulful and deepest best. The Stony Brook 'Yellow Ranger' can go from black comedy ("I know") to playing for the strings in a heartbeat. Showing the deepest and darkest recesses of all we repress and all that's repressed here. It's the fine line between comedy and tragedy that show us the most stand up people have probably been knocked down by the life they know the most times. When Awkwafina's Billi talks about not being able to say goodbye to her grandfather before he passed what heartbreakingly speaks to us more right now, fittingly and fatefully? It touchingly goes without saying like the 'Lost In Translation' like Roxy Music 'More Than This' karaoke, speaks a thousand words communication, Girl/Dad collaboration of The Fugees' (subtle symbolism from the Refugee Camp like the Indian headdress costume in 'Parasite') 'Killing Me Softly' ("one time"), with Tzi Ma, like father, like daughter. Just like the 'Titanic' camerawork of a traditional wedding drinking game you really will raise a glass to. And like the Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, Sofia Coppola classic there is a taxi goodbye that takes us away between the Asian 80's futuristic skyline by concrete day that really grounds us to this hand over the mouth, starring through my rearview finale which might not go as you predictably expect. Wave at this class cast in family, from Diana Lin's real mother, to the revelation that is Lu Hong...actually playing herself perfectly. But it's 'The Story Of Ming Lan' star Zhao Shuzhen as the grandmother in question-who even bittersweetly reminds me of my great one (I miss you forever) like her sister reminds me of her daughter (for real for years as a kid I stupidly thought my grandmother and great one were sisters they were so alike) who moves us to laughter, tears, heart and soul. It's an inspired portrayal in an iconic movie that will influence generations to come like the timeless traditions of culture and history. Endearingly practicing tai chi with all her unwavering spirit. HA! Based on an actual lie, 'The Farwell' is the truth. And right now when all we want to do is say hello, movies like this trapped between tradition and four walls are what will tide us over and keep us comforted. Despite the fact this all doesn't seem real. Until then I can't wait to shake your hands and embrace you all again...but not yet. So long and farwell for now. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Tigertail', 'Crazy, Rich Asians', 'Parasite'.
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