Saving Face (2004) User Reviews

A Wonderful, Funny, Heartfelt Movie

[chriscavanagh · 8/10 · 31 May 2005]

I recently saw a list and short synopses of the screenplays accepted for the Sundance Screenwriters Lab. In short the overall subject matter seemed to be death, doom and depression, i.e. serious subjects for serious films. I am sure that many good and possibly some great scripts and films will come out of the program.

Comedy is hard. Really hard. Okay, I'm willing to concede that teenage gross out bathroom humor movies probably aren't too difficult, and don't get me wrong I enjoy a good gastro-intestinal joke as much as the next person, but a movie that makes you laugh (a lot), touches your heart and just plain makes you feel good... well I think that is something quite rare -- especially these days.

Saving Face is one of the funniest, warmest, most heartfelt movies I have seen in a long, long time. Its a smart, insightful movie for adults. And like any really really good romantic comedy it is about much more than what is on the surface. I really don't care that it is Alice Wu's first film (although that makes her accomplishment all the more extraordinary) -- all I care about is that it isn't her last.

A nice, light comedy worth seeing.

[Proud_Canadian · 8/10 · 13 September 2004]

I was fortunate to see the World premier at the Toronto Film Festival. It was an almost finished product with only some minor changes still needing to be done (mostly tweaking the temporary score and sound) but I didn't notice that it wasn't a finished product. Saving Face is a funny film by written and directed by first time director: Alice Wu. It is about a widow (Joan Chen) who is in her late-40's and has a daughter who is a surgeon. She tries to set up her daughter at these Chinese dances that happen once a week but the daughter is not interested. One day the woman shows up on the daughter's doorstep, kicked out of her home because she has brought shame to the family by becoming pregnant out of wedlock. The mother and daughter have to adjust while the daughter tries to hide her lesbian relationship with her boss's daughter. I liked this film. Joan Chen was very funny in this film. The comedy is good, a nice light touch and on a level everyone can relate too. Although, the fact they are Chinese is not glossed over. The dramatic scenes were weaker in contrast to the comedy but still worked. The three main actresses were good although Joan Chen was the star. If you liked What's Cooking or Mambo Italiano or My Big Fat Greek Wedding, then I think you will like this movie. I am Asian but not Chinese so I do have my biases. Having said that, I think that this film will help break the typical Asian stereotype and will be a mainstream success. Apparently Sony pictures has bought the distribution rights so I expect to see it in theatre some time next year. I give it an 8/10. Definitely worth a look if you want a nice light comedy with a little drama. Note the film is half in Mandarin and half in English but there are English subtitles. I will definitely see it again when it comes out in general release and I will buy the DVD when it comes out.

Delicate and Delightful Romance

[claudio_carvalho · 7/10 · 17 January 2008]

In Manhattan, the brilliant Chinese-American lesbian surgeon Wil (Michelle Krusiec) is surprised by the arrival of her forty-eight years old widow mother (Joan Chen) to her apartment. Ma was banished from Flushing, Queens, when her father discovered that she was pregnant. The presence of Ma affects the personal life of Wil, who is in love with the daughter of her boss in the hospital, the dancer Vivian Shing (Lynn Chen). Once her grandfather has promised that her mother would only return to Flushing remarried or proving that it was an immaculate conception, Wil tries to find a bachelor Chinese to marry Ma.

"Saving Face" is a delicate and delightful romance that explores the clash of cultures of different generations in a Chinese community. The quote: "- The world is getting too hard to predict" defines the conflictive situation of the conservative old generation seeing the modifications of behavior in the younger generations raised in a different culture in their new country. The gorgeous actresses have convincing performances is this entertaining fell-good romantic comedy. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Livrando a Cara" ("Saving Face")

Beautifully done

[dennisjlee · 10/10 · 26 January 2005]

I just saw this at Sundance. Alice Wu is a first-time director, yet this is one of the best movies I have seen in some time. It is funny, yet tells a beautiful and complex story about communication, traditions and love. It did not look like a low budget independent film at all. The acting, cinematography and music were all beautifully done. One could tell this was an important story to all those involved and that they worked very hard to get it to the final product. The characters are not stereotypes but honest portrayals of Chinese Americans dealing with older traditions in modern America. We are all immigrants, we are all human and make mistakes while struggling for acceptance in society. Sometimes it is what we don't say that effects our lives most.

Two women fall in love. They have to deal with cultural and family and professional issues.

[gershuny · 9/10 · 18 April 2005]

This first time director/author has made a movie that will have universal appeal. Although the main part of the plot centers on two Chinese women who are successful professionals and are love with each other, the movie is not "about" Chinese people or "about" lesbians. The story concerns how two interesting people deal with cultural taboos, with their places in the culture and in their families, and with the demands of their respective careers (surgeon and ballerina). But, even with this serious backdrop, the story is told with humor; there are more laughs and smiles than tears. When you see the movie, note how beautifully the romance between these protagonists develops.

It's likely that this movie will have limited distribution, at least at the the beginning. Look for it. You will be glad you did.

Saving Face

[Purpleperson07 · 7/10 · 28 May 2005]

Perhaps it is because I don't live in a metropolitan city (although Orange County has it's fair share of good independent theaters) that I have not been saturated by 3 Asian American films this year focusing on lesbianism (see below review). I rather enjoyed Saving Face for it's unconventional roles, it's idealism, and great acting. I have become tired, and bored of most Asian Americans movies--most of which are either martial arts movies with people flying through the air on sticks and bouncing on trees, or the trials and tribulations of cultural differences and intolerance amongst families and issues based on generational gaps. Although the latter is important, it was refreshing to see a movie in which the focal point of the movie was not that the characters were Asian facing typical Asian issues, but were facing intolerance in general--be it coming out of the closet, having an illegitimate child, or loving someone much younger or older than you. Although the movie is very idealistic, I think Alice Wu-the director/writer is suggesting that we can only fight intolerance with acceptance and honesty. Perhaps this movie can open discussion amongst older and younger generations alike.

Exceptionally well done movie

[yogasong44 · 10/10 · 12 May 2005]

While this movie has a Chinesse-American lesbian theme, it goes under the same category of "My Big, Fat Greek Wedding": you don't need to be one to REALLY, REALLY like it! The writing is extremely humorous and intelligent. It reminded me of the "Kissing Jessica Stein movie" in terms of the wit that the writer (who also happens to be the director) brings forth in the script. I was not sure what to expect from a movie that I was seeing at a film festival. I was pleasantly and extremely surprised! The actors were quite believable in their roles and did a fine job. The production quality of the movie was quite noticeable from the start of the movie and was very good and enjoyable to watch. The lead characters are likable and sweet, while not Pollyannish. The story itself is also full of scenarios that most people can relate to regardless of their sexual orientation or race. So, if you're looking for a fun time, out go see this movie and enjoy!

Big Trouble In Little China

[natashabowiepinky · 6/10 · 23 March 2013]

Let's face it, not my sort of film... But the participants are appealing, if a little clichéd, and there's just enough complexity in their relationships to keep one going towards the end. You're not going to learn much about Chinese culture here, apart from their rather quaint notion that anyone who's pregnant should be married, and not middle aged. Bless! Also, being part of a lesbian couple can be frought with as many uncertainties as a straight pair has. Of course, all gets sorted out at the final family gathering, where in one fell swoop, a little dance and some alcohol can sort out every problem whether it be major or minor. Not at all realistic, but we all like to go to bed with the warm fuzzies, don't we?

lovely romantic comedy with several twists

[maudebasset · 10/10 · 30 May 2005]

I was lucky enough to get into "Saving Face" on its opening night at the AMC on 42nd St. in NY. It was sold out and for good reason! It was a delightful yet thought-provoking romantic comedy with some important social undertones. The portrayal of three generations of Chinese- Americans included a lovely lesbian love story, a pregnant older Ma, and all sorts of complications and funny funny twists. Lots of laughing out loud- and the audience (very diverse) was REALLY into it... I laughed and cried. And you heard it here first-- Lynn Chen, who convincingly played the ballerina role, is a star waiting to happen. She is just gorgeous, a fine actress, and delightful to watch. All the acting is top-notch. I want everyone to see it so we can support interesting and enjoyable independent movies that open our minds just a little bit!

A Cunning Coming-Out Charmer With a Trio of Winning Female Performances

[EUyeshima · 7/10 · 11 October 2006]

First-time feature director/screenwriter Alice Wu's 2005 indie comedy has familiar movie themes running all through it, but it is still an unexpected charmer with its laconic storytelling, unforced humor and a trio of winning performances. With a conflicted protagonist at its core, the film shares the same soufflé-light rom-com territory as Ol Parker's half-hearted "Imagine Me and You" and Ian Iqbal Rashid's overly cute "A Touch of Pink". Wu, however, manages to bring a less derivative style to her venture due to the unique cultural subtext and more importantly, because her script unspools the fates of the main characters in meticulous vignettes.

The plot focuses on Wil, short for Wilhelmina, an obviously talented Manhattan-based surgical resident who has kept herself closeted from her traditional Chinese family living across the East River in Flushing. Referred to just as "Ma" in the story, her mother is a widowed beautician, who only speaks Mandarin to her daughter and keeps flinging potential suitors at her. Wil's eyes, nevertheless, are set squarely on a comely ballerina named Vivian, who happens to be the daughter of Wil's supervising surgeon at the hospital. Meantime, Ma is in her own pickle as she finds herself pregnant and subsequently ejected from the family home. Ma moves in with Wil, and the inevitable consequences ensue. There are affecting moments of lightness and gravitas throughout, but much of the charm of the film comes naturally from the three leads.

As Wil, Michelle Krusiec is a terrific find, evoking the simmering turmoil of her situation in unexpected ways even when the script fails her at times. Lynn Chen is saucy and inviting as Vivian, though I wish we could have seen one scene where she dances onstage since such a strong point is made on what style she wants to pursue. Both actresses make the attraction between the characters palpable, culminating in the inevitable girl-on-girl scene. Despite the beauty of her younger co-stars, Joan Chen is almost too gorgeous to be playing such an emotionally constrained character. Even though her character is supposed to be closing in on fifty, Chen is just 43 and frankly looks ensconced in her thirties, making her the rare case of looking far younger at the end of the movie than at the beginning. Yet, she is able to convey the necessary brittle, distanced manner as Ma, making her character's self-discovery process more rewarding.

The ending is on the pat side, especially a silly multiple confessional at a wedding and a wedged-in riff on "The Graduate", but it doesn't compromise the sweet-natured charm of the piece. Special mention should go to Harlan Bosmajian's cinematography, which captures the saturated colors found in the Chinese-American community. The 2005 DVD contains Wu's thoughtful commentary on a separate track, as well as several deleted scenes, a standard, ten-minute making-of featurette and a rather dull Sundance video diary.

makes you feel soooo good....

[babyfacemel · 10/10 · 18 May 2005]

i saw this film with a bunch of lesbians in boston, and, even though we all agreed that the ending was a bit fluffy and unrealistic, it made us all feel so warm and happy. which, i guess, is what a good romantic comedy is supposed to do - so i forgive the ultra-perfect ending. the acting is terrific, especially the mother, who is funny as hell. the lead actress, the one who plays the doctor, is smart and cute. and the one who plays the ballerina is terrific too. i saw this actress (lynn chen) and the director (alice wu) at the festival afterwards and it was really exciting because it was like looking at future stars. alice wu is smart and talented and charming. i can't believe this is her first feature film. and lynn chen is going to be a star - i don't know what it is about her, but she's gorgeous and young and can act and there aren't any other young Asian American actresses like her so she should go far. definitely go see this film in the theaters - you'll float when you leave.

Lovable movie

[majikstranger · 7/10 · 5 May 2006]

Yet another movie that surprised me. I saw it with very little expectations and it surpassed it and more. The characters are lovable. I found myself talking to the screen trying to give advice to the characters. If these characters were real i would have loved to know them. The movie was funny and had its surprises, especially towards the end. I highly recommend this movie. Its isn't overbearing or complex. Just a simple (but complex enough) easy going and entertaining movie. I highly doubt most macho guys would find the joy i found in this movies but for those others who have a sense of humor and aren't afraid to show emotion, you will love this movie. Yet another excellent movie for a boring Saturday night.

This Chop Suey needs a bit more frying

[zz2006 · 3/10 · 30 December 2006]

Overall the movie feels like a Chop Suey with all these forced ingredients thrown in, but without depth and not well cooked.

The director is trying to explore current social issues in a conservative immigrant culture. "Non-conventional" behaviors such as lesbian relationship, single motherhood, older women with younger men relationships are typically shunned upon in a conservative Chinese culture. It's a good idea to talk about these social elements in a new setting, much like Brokeback Mountain in a cowboy culture. However, the characters were not developed well enough to make it believable, particularly the mother and the Vivian characters. The 1993 movie Wedding Banquet (Hsi Yen) by Ang Lee was done much better with the Chinese American culture and gay relationship topic, and funnier.

I have to say it's disappointing. I had such hope when I got the DVD last night since I missed it when it was in the theater.

Honest and True to Asian American Culture

[deviousc1 · 10/10 · 4 June 2005]

A funny feel good Asian American lesbian romantic comedy that almost anyone can relate to.

One aspect of the film that I really enjoyed is that Wu focused on the disparity between first generation and second generation Chinese Americans. The seemingly unbreakable barriers that needs to be acknowledged, assessed, and overcome are all too familiar to me.

Being born and raised in NYC as a Chinese American, this film breaks the ice and will most likely fast forward progress and understanding for us in America. I feel we needed a movie to just come out and say it - to make a bold statement deeper into the true meaning of accepting one's self. This definitely did it... perfectly too. Saving Face is wonderful and highly recommended!

A decent movie for a long time

[nomisage · 9/10 · 31 May 2005]

This is one of the few great films I have watched in a long time. As an Asian-American film, the characters do not play or have any stereotypical roles like many Asian portrayal in the media. Instead, it deals with family and relationship issues that we can somewhat relate to, dealing with cultural barriers and contemporary differences.

I really enjoyed the film especially the daughter-mother relationship along with the grandmother. The way they interact with each other is sometimes a comedy that we would laugh about but realistically won't if we were in their situation. I also find the Chinese translation of the title appropriate as well considering there is no better way that I can translate the Chinese words in English.

Pretty much the movie displays what some (chinese) people go through in the American society (new york city) in the 21st century and the family issues that comes with it. I didn't really like the ending as much so I took out 1 star. Hopefully, the movie industry can produce more movies like this ... possibly focusing this time more on a male character.

Funny - worth watching

[phd_travel · 7/10 · 24 August 2013]

This comedy is about the impact of a pair of modern relationships on a traditional Chinese family in Flushing. It is amusing throughout, well acted and watchable.

I found the story about Joan Chen the middle aged widow who finds herself knocked up quite funny. Joan is a versatile actress and it is nice to see her in a Chinese speaking role that is meant for Western audiences. The lesbian relationship of her daughter (Michele Kruseic) with a dancer (Lynn Chen) was a bit forced. Overall the dialog and situations are well written and the story comes together nicely.

Overall entertaining and funny.

Funny, smart, and sexy

[blahdeblah133 · 10/10 · 5 April 2005]

Saw this film in San Francisco at the Asian American film festival, where it played in the Castro Theater to a sold out crowd. I thought it was an amazing job for a first-time director. Joan Chen is her usual brilliant self, though this time she utilizes her comedic skills. The other two leads in the film, Michelle Krusiec and Lynn Chen, are terrific too - can't wait to see more of them in the future. The music soundtrack was great also - had some great mix of stuff. It's a film you can bring your mom or your date to. Or a great film to see with the girls but this isn't just a "chick flick." I mean, who doesn't want to see a film with hot Asian lesbians having sex in it? Overall, very well done. Highly recommended.

A great light movie with a large hole.

[royalconman · 7/10 · 3 July 2005]

The movie was great.

The script was written well with a few exceptions which I'll touch on later. It is truly great as a romantic comedy. The sort of light hearted movie that has a sweet spot for its characters and scenes.

The only problem with it is the last fifth of the movie. They spent so much work and time on the characters and their love story that I felt betrayed by the quick finish to the storyline. It feels unfinished.

Had I known about this hole I probably would've skipped on this one. I just about loved the movie for what it was up until the ending. It still feels to me as if the the characters are still apart at the end.

A very enjoyable and very different Movie

[dsa-12 · 9/10 · 17 April 2005]

This movie is much more than the elements of its plot. Just as "The Piña Colada Song" is not really about drinking, "Saving Face" is not really about Asian lesbians who occasionally speak Chinese.

It's too bad that I don't have the skill to describe the pleasure of seeing "Saving Face". It's something like the experience of looking into the fire in the fireplace on a cold evening. But it is more like doing that along with someone special while listening to a sultry version of "Someone To Watch Over Me"; just completely different though.

See it! When I saw this motion picture with the "Movies 101" group in NYC, it was plain from the audience reaction that lots of people adored it with me.

clichéd Hollywood drama repackaged

[osuhaha · 6/10 · 10 February 2006]

A romantic comedy about Chinese American lesbians and generational conflicts, sounds unconventional, right? Well, the opening of the film does look promising, smooth and dynamic, with good rhythm. But soon I found myself watching just another formulated Hollywood style melodrama with clichéd caricature of Mainland Chinese immigrants being thrown in here and there. The turn and twist of the plot is melodramatic and the representation of Chinese community in Flusing is unsurprisingly stereotypical. As the film develops, I was really disappointed for the narrative and visual style being manipulated in such a emotional and clichéd way. Chinese American lesbians story could be just a smart marketing strategy to cater for curious Western audience with its exoticism and eroticism while our society starts becoming more tolerant toward homosexuality.

The two youthful lovers do give some refreshing touch to the film, but they don't seem to have real connection with other characters. Joan Chen's role as a Chinese daughter/mother, being obedient--in the sense of giving herself up to a marriage chosen by her father--and defiant--getting pregnant by a much younger lover after being widowed for many years--at the same time, is not convincing and consistent.

These being said, Alice Wu makes a decent directorial debut, but it would be an overstatement to claim it a excellent one.

Thank you ~

[still_savingface · 10/10 · 24 November 2005]

Quo from Alice Wu. "no matter who you are – Asian or black, gay or straight, young or old – that everyone basically want to love – and that love can start at any point in your life that you want it to. It was never too late to fall in love for the first time. And that it is not by doing things right, but by sometimes getting them wrong, that we launch the journey that allows us to come into our own."

As a Chinese Canadian Lesbian, this film touches me deeply. I found myself understood and now understand. I was told and was feeling that I am evil and left with no "face" for my caring parents. This film proves me wrong. Thank you.

AMAZING comedy!!!

[meganweinand · 30 July 2009]

I second a previous comment below-this is basically an Asian/lesbian version of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and it is HILARIOUS!!! Not only that, but a great portrayal of love of all kinds, lesbian and more! I truly truly loved this film, and I would say that it is the best lesbian comedy of all time, if not the best lesbian movie of all time!! It is extremely well made, a funnier version of Imagine Me and You with a more realistic story line-lighthearted and fun almost all the way through with great chemistry in the leads, and a fantastic mother-daughter relationship-that tells it like it is! The display of Asian and female culture is also equally engaging, and I will definitely look forward to watching this movie again! FANTASTIC!!!! =)

it changes about what you looking for

[matt-the-hippie · 6/10 · 1 August 2017]

It doesn't have a complicated story it's simple but the characters and the harmony of the movie makes you really happy after you watch it. and I also think it's quite nice this is just like any other romantic comedy movie but it's also an LGBT movie because on LGBT movies it's rare to see a bright atmosphere, so it's a good movie if you are searching for a bright decent romantic comedy movie.

Uninspired, boring and without direction

[acumena · 4/10 · 26 August 2006]

I was optimistic about this movie, seeing as it was at Sundance and many people on IMDb especially seem to like it. It started off alright, until Wil met Vivian and started going out with her. Then, suddenly, they were in love and making love and very attached to each other-even though there was ABSOLUTELY NO CHARACTER OR RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT WHATSOEVER. I didn't care about any of the characters except for the mother, who was the only one who stood out as having a personality at all.

It's really too bad, because this movie could've been excellent. It had funny parts, witty parts and parts that would have been moving had I any empathy for the people involved.

However, it also had many, many parts which were completely random (e.g. The grandmother dying-how did it serve the plot? It was sort of sad, but she was only in the movie for about 3 minutes, so how could we feel attached?) and didn't seem to have any lasting effect on the characters anyways.

The formula for this movie seemed to be: Random event, random event, semi-relevant plot point, random event that sets up to the very important key plot point which we don't care about, and then an extremely predictable, happy ending. The only original part of this movie was when the director twisted the overused "running off to the airport to win so-and-so's heart back in the nick of time", and it wasn't even done in a terribly heartbreaking way.

In conclusion, "Saving Face" had lots of potential, but overall this film had the feeling of a high school video production, as though the director was too lazy to give the characters any personality to make us care about them. If you watch it, watch it for Joan Chen's performance as Wil's mother. She is the only actress worth seeing in this directionless, pointless, clichéd film.

A family affair

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 23 June 2005]

It must hard for anyone in certain ethnic cultures to come out to parents that view homosexuality as a their worst nightmare. This seems to be Alice Wu's point at the center of her film "Saving Face", her debut movie that has a lot going for it and should be seen by more people because it has a lot of good things going for it.

Alice Wu has directed a movie that has all the right ingredients for a funny comedy. She treats her subject matter with dignity and with taste. We never feel Ms. Wu wants to show explicit sex in order to shock us. On the contrary, the one scene in the movie showing nudity is done elegantly and makes its point without being tacky.

The film seems to point out to what extent certain things are seen as taboo in an ethnic group living in their own secluded circle, not accepting the American culture because of what they perceive as dangerous and evil influences for them and their children. Which is the case of Wil's being gay and having the courage to tell her mother about it. At the same time, Wil's own mother has sinned, as far as her own parents are concerned, because she has become pregnant after living many years as a widow, dedicated to raising a daughter. This is a double whammy for the family that has strong social ties in the community.

As Wil, Michelle Krusiec is good; this young actress shows promise because she does a lot effortlessly. As her love interest, Lynn Chen, makes a beautiful Vivian, the dancer that wins Wil's love. Of course, the best thing in the film is Joan Chen. She makes the mother at the center of the movie mature and accept all the changes fate has thrown her way. These three actresses make "Saving Face" well worth seeing.

No doubt Alice Wu will go to bigger and better things since she shows a promise that is amazing.