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The Storyline of “Saving Face”
“Saving Face” is a romantic comedy-drama movie that was released in 2004. The story is set in New York and revolves around two women, Wil (Michelle Krusiec), a young surgeon, and her mother, Hwei-Lan Gao (Joan Chen). Wil is a lesbian and is dating Vivian (Lynn Chen), but she struggles to come out to her mother, who is a traditional Chinese immigrant.
Meanwhile, Hwei-Lan has just been dumped by her boyfriend and unexpectedly comes to America to live with her daughter. She has a secret of her own: she’s pregnant at the age of 48 and refuses to reveal who the father is. As the two women navigate their individual struggles while living under one roof, they find themselves supporting each other and forming an even stronger bond.
The Casts and Characters
The movie’s cast includes Michelle Krusiec as Wilhelmina Pang (Wil), Joan Chen as Hwei-Lan Gao (Ma), Lynn Chen as Vivian Shing, Jin Wang as Wai Gung (Grandpa), Guang Lan Koh as Deedee Shu
and Jessica Hecht as Randi.
Michelle Krusiec’s portrayal of Wil along with Joan Chen’s acting as Hwei-Lan Gao were highly appreciated by the audience. The chemistry between the two actresses is palpable, and they delivered some of the most moving scenes in the movie.
The Plot and Storytelling
The plot of “Saving Face” is simple yet effective. It explores the complexities of relationships, especially those that involve cultural differences and sexual orientation. The storytelling is engaging, and the pacing is just right. The director Alice Wu managed to balance humor and drama perfectly.
The movie doesn’t shy away from portraying the challenges that LGBTQ+ individuals face in conservative societies, but it also celebrates their strength and resilience. The mother-daughter dynamic in “Saving Face” is heartwarming, and it adds another layer of complexity to an already rich storyline.
Acting and Characters
“Saving Face” boasts a talented cast that brought its A-game to this movie. Michelle Krusiec’s performance as Wil was nuanced and authentic. She portrayed a young woman struggling with her identity while balancing her professional life with her personal relationships.
Joan Chen’s portrayal of Hwei-Lan Gao was equally impressive. She played a traditional mother who often clashed with her daughter’s modern lifestyle, but she also had a vulnerable side that made her character more relatable. Lynn Chen’s portrayal of Vivian Shing was also noteworthy. She played Wil’s love interest, and her chemistry with Krusiec was undeniable.
History and Cultural Significance
“Saving Face” was one of the first mainstream movies to feature a lesbian Asian-American lead character. It tackled issues that were rarely addressed in Hollywood at the time, such as LGBTQ+ rights and immigration. The movie received critical acclaim and helped shine a light on the experiences of Asian-American and LGBTQ+ individuals.
The movie’s impact can still be felt today, as it inspired a new generation of filmmakers to tell stories that are often overlooked by Hollywood. “Saving Face” also paved the way for more representation in film and TV, helping to break down barriers for underrepresented groups.
The Soundtrack and Score
“Saving Face” has a beautiful soundtrack that complements the movie’s themes perfectly. The score is composed by Anton Sanko, who managed to capture the different moods of the movie effortlessly. The soundtrack features songs from various artists, including Mates of State, The Polyphonic Spree, and Elliott Smith.
The music adds another layer of emotion to an already moving storyline. The songs are carefully curated and help to elevate the movie’s impact on the audience.
Evaluation and Popularity
“Saving Face” received critical acclaim upon its release in 2004. Roger Ebert gave it three and a half stars out of four and praised the way the movie tackled sensitive issues while still being entertaining. Rotten Tomatoes gives “Saving Face” a 91% rating, with critics applauding its humor, heart, and authenticity.
The movie was also commercially successful, grossing over $1.7 million worldwide against a budget of just $1 million. “Saving Face” won several awards, including the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, and it helped to launch the careers of Alice Wu and Michelle Krusiec.
The Cinematography
The cinematography in “Saving Face” is understated yet effective. The movie’s muted color palette reflects its serious themes, while its use of close-ups helps to convey emotion without resorting to exposition or dialogue.
The film’s director of photography, Harlan Bosmajian, managed to capture New York City in a way that felt both familiar and fresh. His attention to detail helped to flesh out the characters’ worlds while adding an additional layer of realism to an already authentic story.
Opinion and Personal Thoughts
“Saving Face” is a movie that has stayed with me since I first watched it. As an LGBTQ+ individual who comes from a conservative culture, I related to Wil’s struggles and the complexities of coming out to traditional parents.
The movie’s portrayal of the mother-daughter relationship also struck a chord with me, as I come from a culture that tends to prioritize filial piety over individual freedom. The movie made me laugh, cry, and ultimately feel seen.
Scenes That Stood Out
The scene where Wil finally comes out to her mother is one of the most emotionally charged moments in the movie. It’s both heartbreaking and cathartic, and it speaks volumes about the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals who come from conservative cultures.
Another scene that stood out for me was when Hwei-Lan reveals that she’s pregnant. It’s a moment of vulnerability for her character, and it shows how complicated family dynamics can be, especially when secrets are involved.
Gossip and Trivia
“Saving Face” was filmed on location in New York City, specifically in Queens, Chinatown, East Village, and Manhattan. Some scenes were also shot in Toronto, Canada. The movie’s production budget was only $1 million, but it managed to gross over $1.7 million worldwide.
The title “Saving Face” refers to the concept of preserving one’s reputation or dignity, especially in Asian cultures. The movie was inspired by director Alice Wu’s own experiences as a Chinese-American lesbian.
Criticism and Controversy
“Saving Face” received overwhelmingly positive reviews, but some critics felt that the movie didn’t tackle issues such as racism and sexism in Asian cultures. Others criticized the movie’s portrayal of homosexuality as being too simplistic and not representative of all LGBTQ+ individuals.
Despite these criticisms, “Saving Face” remains a milestone in LGBTQ+ cinema and Asian-American representation on screen.
Production Crews
“Saving Face” was directed by Alice Wu, who also wrote the screenplay. It was produced by Will Smith’s production company Overbrook Entertainment along with Destination Films. The film’s cinematography was done by Harlan Bosmajian, while the music was composed by Anton Sanko.
Special Effects and Visuals
“Saving Face” is not a movie that relies on special effects or flashy visuals. Instead, it focuses on delivering a compelling story with authentic characters. That being said, the movie’s attention to detail and use of cinematography helps to create a visually stunning experience.
The movie’s use of close-ups, muted colors, and natural lighting all contribute to creating an atmosphere that feels realistic yet cinematic.
Quotes from “Saving Face”
Here are some memorable quotes from “Saving Face”:
- “You can’t just walk out of my life after ten years and expect everything to be okay!” – Wil
- “I don’t want to live in the past. I just want to remember it sometimes so I know where I came from.” – Hwei-Lan Gao (Ma)
- “Don’t you dare take that tone with me! You can judge me all you want, but do not condescend to me.” – Wil
- “That’s the problem with living in America. There’s no time for sadness.” – Wai Gung (Grandpa)
Analysis and Interpretation
“Saving Face” is a movie that explores complicated themes with nuance and authenticity. It’s a movie that shows the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in conservative cultures, but it also celebrates their resilience and strength.
The mother-daughter dynamic in the movie is also worth analyzing, as it highlights the challenges faced by immigrant families who are caught between two cultures. Overall, “Saving Face” is a movie that deserves to be watched and analyzed for its cultural significance and cinematic value.
Conclusion
“Saving Face” is a masterpiece that manages to balance humor, heart, and authenticity while tackling sensitive issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and immigration. The movie’s talented cast, gripping storyline, and nuanced approach to complex themes make it one of the most significant LGBTQ+ movies of all time. If you haven’t watched this gem yet, I highly recommend checking it out!