Movie Review - Saving Face

Saving Face , a Sony Pictures Classic, is now available on DVD for your viewing pleasure. The 2004 romantic comedy/drama was the project of first time director Alice Wu. It chronicles the complicated life of a promising young Chinese American surgeon, Wilhemina (played by the talented Michelle Krusiec), as she balances her career, her obligations to her conservative family, and the demands of a new relationship which she has come to value. The name of the movie comes from the Chinese social relation concept (often in the form of subtle power plays or selfless acts to keep someone else from embarrassment while preserving the status quo), which perfectly describes the heart of her problem; how to be true to herself as a professional and as a woman in the modern world, and remain a dutiful daughter in the traditional one. “Saving Face” introduces us to Wilhemina, a New Yorker who takes the #7 train weekly to visit her family, part of a tight-knit Chinese community located in Flushing, Queens. She is careful to keep her two worlds separated, but circumstances conspire against her when her widowed mother (played by Joan Chen) winds up on her doorstep pregnant and outcast (father unknown). Wil has to placate Ma while keeping her relationship with her beautiful dancer girlfriend (Lynn Chen) on the down low. Of course Ma is no fool; she is aware of her daughter’s tendencies, but the issue must be skirted because her daughter cannot be gay. Wil has tolerated her mother’s attempts to hook her up with proper Chinese boys at the Friday night socials for years, but to no avail. Ironically, it is Ma (who only speaks Mandarin and rarely steps outside of the confines of her social web) who has fallen from grace and must do the right thing to get back in good social standing. The casting for Saving Face is brilliant. All the actors shine in their roles, creating contrast and chemistry that makes you laugh through the tears. The performances are heartfelt - never forced, and despite the fairy tale ending, quite believable. With the exception of Joan Chen, I was not familiar with any of the actors, but was pleasantly surprised at the caliber of the talent. Joan Chen played Ma to perfection and the other two leads were very strong, Krusiec playing the brilliant tomboy surgeon to Chen’s worldly elegance and street smarts. The introduction of a black neighbor as a regular character added a lot of comedy to the mix. One billion Chinese people, two degrees of separation â€" Saving Face. The director clearly put a lot of love into this project and it shows in every scene. Though there are some obvious stereotypes, the story gives you a real sense of Chinese culture across generations. And no matter how you feel about the lesbian relationship that is depicted, most people can easily relate to this drama regardless of race or sexual orientation. “Saving Face” presents the human condition just as it is in real life, complicated and messy, and at no time did I feel that the director had some kind of political agenda to force on the audience. “Saving Face” is one of the most intelligent and thoroughly entertaining movies I have seen in some time, keeping me completely enthralled from beginning to end. “Saving Face” is in English, however many scenes have Chinese dialogue, so I recommend that you be sure to have the subtitles on display while you watch or you will miss out on some hilarious one liners. Though tastefully done, there is a scene of sexuality, so viewer be warned. “Saving Face” was a favorite for many at the Sundance and Toronto Film Festivals. The movie has the high production values of a Hollywood film with a strong independent spirit. The film is a rare gem, one of those pleasant surprises that come around only so often, one that you will come to cherish. I give it my highest rating. It is never too late to fall in love for the first time â€" Saving Face. More Movie Reviews Resources for Saving Face sonyclassics.com/savingface/ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Face