Get our recommendations directly on
Many things clash in this beautifully layered, semi-autobiographical film of American director Lulu Wang: cultures, morals, and emotions. The result is a type of comedy that is complex and bittersweet—and based on a true lie: this is the story of a Chinese grandma whose family won’t tell her that she is fatally ill. Instead, they organize a fake wedding in China, where everyone gets together to bid a farewell to the unwitting matriarch (played by Zhao Shuzhen). The fake wedding is, in fact, a premature funeral for a person unaware that she is going to die. Played by rapper and comedian Awkwafina, Billi, a New-York-based Chinese-American with a complicated relationship to China, embodies the cultural and moral question at the heart of this story: is it right or wrong not tell grandma? It is thanks to Wang’s deft writing and Awkwafina’s outstanding performance that The Farewell homes in on answers without ever being melodramatic. Warm, honest, and beautiful.
What did you think? Who should watch it?
© 2022 agoodmovietowatch, all rights reserved. While we migrate to our new design, all premium content and features are temporarily available to all users. Contact us if you have any feedback or questions.
We are home to the best movie and TV show suggestions across streaming
platforms and across over 20 countries.
Netflix, Amazon, Amazon Prime, and Hulu are trademarked brands,
all rights reserved.
We don't have any affiliation with Netflix or any other VOD providers.
All images, names, and trademarks are copyright and
the property of their respective owners.
K
kaybeetoyz
This is just a gorgeous film, and what a nice twist at the end! I never knew how important traditions are as an American with no family. This one has my heart!
S
Stella
I think it’s more dark comedy than drama, but the story is very good and I love the way it portrayed the traditions of China.