| Rating: 4/10 T he push and pull between the bonds of blood and the … In sharing her story with us, Wang achieves a masterful tonal balance throughout “The Farewell.” She’s made a film about death that’s light on its feet and never mawkish. Cinemark |, November 6, 2020 |, January 29, 2021 Don't have an account? The percentage of users who rated this 3.5 stars or higher. And while writer/director Lulu Wang’s film is obviously personal and culturally specific, it achieves a universality and a resonance through its vivid depiction of a family in the midst of crisis. Best Netflix Shows and Series To Binge (January 2021), The 100 Best Movies on Netflix Right Now (January 2021), 100 Best Movies on Amazon Prime To Watch (January 2021). Read her answers to our Movie Love Questionnaire here. | Fresh (330) The Farewell deftly captures complicated family dynamics with a poignant, well-acted drama that marries cultural specificity with universally relatable themes. The film does enough to make audiences feel and understand for the family. The Farewell is a beautiful, resonating gem, fuelled by some standout performances and told with touches of pure grace. Just leave us a message here and we will work on getting you verified. The Farewell does many things right, but the number one thing is the characters surrounding the premise. Of course, that’s usually not what happens, even for those who’ve made peace with their imminent passing. Director Lulu Wang’s The Farewell, starring Awkwafina, is one of the highlights of the 2019 Sundance Film Festival. I thought it was really funny. There are no approved quotes yet for this movie. The Farewell is a 2019 dramedy written and directed by Lulu Wang, based off of a real incident in her life that she first publicly discussed in her radio story What You Don't Know, later adapted into part of an episode of This American Life.. Forgot your password? When it finishes, you may not think it hit you with a bang, but it does stay with you for a longtime and haunt you with its humaneness, little moments, and the phenomenal soundtrack that captures the affect of the film so well. A headstrong Chinese-American woman returns to China when her beloved grandmother is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Thematically, The Farewell is about reconciliation with the past and wrestling with cultural traditions that now seem foreign in a country that once was home. We won’t be able to verify your ticket today, but it’s great to know for the future. Please click the link below to receive your verification email. And it’s blessed with several strong female performances, led by rapper and actress Awkwafina (a.k.a. This movie would have collapsed without them as the backbone. With so many big-budget films hitting cinemas, this movie feels like a giant refresher and I loved nearly every second of it. ‘The Farewell’ Review: Parting (and Lying) Is Such Sweet Sorrow A family says goodbye on the sly to a loved one in writer-director Lulu Wang’s bold, brilliant beautiful drama The fact that this is an actual thing that goes on is kind of odd, seeing as most people usually know when doctors have given the information, but this "based on a true lie" as the film states, and it really did make for an emotionally compelling narrative. | Rating: 5/5 Sign up here. Lulu Wang's The Farewell movie is supposed to be "based on an actual lie" - but while much of it is true, The Farewell true story has had some changes. Billi struggles with her family's decision to keep grandma in the dark about her own illness as they all stage an impromptu wedding to see grandma one last time. Ultimately, it's all about balance, a yin and yang of roots and identities, humour and pathos that comes together into a satisfying, bittersweet wedding banquet of a movie. Losing control. She can be brutally candid but her observations and advice always come from a place of love. They won't be able to see your review if you only submit your rating. With that said, this is an exceptional drama that I will gladly revisit in the coming months/years. The Farewell is a beautifully made film with a seemingly simple story. I've only really ever experienced Awkwafina as a comedic actress in films like Crazy Rich Asians or Ocean's 8, but she has now proven that dramatic work may suit her even more than comedic. Awkwafina was cast before her scene-stealing, star-making supporting turns in the comedies “Ocean’s 8” and “Crazy Rich Asians” and it’s thrilling to see her previously untapped, formidable dramatic abilities on display in a lead role. advertisement. |, January 29, 2021 It is exactly what it is, unapologetically. |, February 2, 2021 Magnificent screen presence. You can find Christy's writing at ChristyLemire.com. Such an average, uneventful, small, intimately-designed, down-to-earth, slice-of-life drama that very little of it is memorable. And she’s pulled off one of the most perfect endings you’ll ever see. Simply put, it's one of the best films of the year. The way Wang mines surreal humor from seemingly sorrowful situations is disarming over and over again, whether it’s at a tacky, elaborate photo shoot for the bride and groom or at the wedding reception itself with its silly dances and rambling, drunken toasts. | Rating: 3.5/5 The Farewell deftly captures complicated family dynamics with a poignant, well-acted drama that marries cultural specificity with universally relatable themes. and the Terms and Policies, Either way, bring tissues, because as delightful as Zhou is in this crucial, central role, she will also quietly rip your heart out by the film’s end. As Billi and her stunned parents (Tzi Ma and Diana Lin, both lovely) process the devastating news about her dad’s mother and make plans to travel back to China for her cousin’s hastily announced wedding, she’s shocked by the massive lie everyone is prepared to tell. Sidney Poitier’s 7 Most Memorable Performances, All Harry Potter Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, 10 Genre Films at Sundance 2021 That Could Become Breakout Hits. |, September 20, 2019 Writer/director Lulu Wang imbues THE FAREWELL with warmth and knowing wit, while the uniformly excellent ensemble cast (anchored by a breakout performance by Awkwafina) invites us to share this extended clan's joy and sorrow--and to feel, for the length of this remarkable film, like a … All rights reserved. The ending is greatly moving in its simplicity. Your AMC Ticket Confirmation# can be found in your order confirmation email. 4.26/5. All Critics (338) That crisis was actually Wang’s crisis: Her beloved grandmother was dying in China, and the family decided not to tell their matriarch to protect her and prevent her from living in fear throughout her remaining days. THE FAREWELL— 5 STARS. If you have a grandmother like this in your life, you’ll frequently find a smile of recognition spreading across your face; if you don’t have one, you’ll want one. At the same time, we see early on that Billi can be a cool liar herself about minor details in her daily life, and concocting stories should come naturally to her as an aspiring writer in New York—fascinating contradictions, all. Awkwafina (Billi) and Zhao Shuzhen (Nai Nai) in Lulu Wang’s ‘bittersweet’ The Farewell. If anything, I found the movie to be a little too short, as I would have liked to explore more about what is said in the credits of the film. Death is not something within our control. Sundance 2021: Cusp, Street Gang, Philly D.A. I will always back them as a company, so when I say one of their films is terrible (if the day ever comes), it must be a pretty bad movie. A slow burn, a movie that builds to a poignant climax that not only feels earned but deserved. Full Review | Original Score: 5 / 5 Matt Cipolla Film Monthly | Rating: 4/5 Despite her ailment and her advanced age, Nai Nai is a total hoot and allows nothing to get past her, from the wedding banquet menu to the shape of Billi’s butt now that she’s a grown woman. This 10-digit number is your confirmation number. Coming Soon. And we won’t. Oscars Best Picture Winners Best Picture Winners Golden Globes Emmys Black History Month STARmeter Awards San Diego Comic-Con New York Comic-Con Sundance Film Festival Toronto Int'l Film Festival Awards Central Festival Central All Events Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. You'll be spewing with tears before the first act is done. Different." T here are two ways a moviegoer can approach the month of August: by resigning himself to the sequels and … |, September 23, 2019 The Farewell is a comedy of warmth and bracing honesty. She finds a variety of moments for her actors to shine within a large ensemble cast. When Billi arrives at the hotel, she briefly converses with the hotel … |, September 21, 2019 I thought it was really lovely. At least, that’s what her character, the Americanized Billi, thinks she is when she returns to her home country. A review of the film 'The Farewell.' By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. It is remarkable that Wang created this film...steeped in Chinese and Chinese-American culture and yet has a message so strong that it can appeal to wide audiences. Christy Lemire is a co-host of the YouTube film review show "What the Flick?!" It’s here that Wang explores cultural differences between East and West and between generations without judgment or pronouncement as to whose approach is best. The Farewell is one of their latest theatrical releases and while it may not strike a chord for everyone like it did for me, this is a genuine film from start to finish, not straying away from the characters and story it's showcasing. Totally my mistake that I went from it. If the Oscars were being held soon, I would say Awkwafina definitely deserves some recognition. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your account. |, October 10, 2019 It’s as if she wants to see all sides of the delicate argument with a kind heart and an open mind. Cinemark “The Farewell” announces at the beginning that it’s “based on an actual lie,” but the meaningful truths it reveals couldn’t be more poignant or powerful. Read critic reviews. The focus is on her throughout the majority of the film, as the broke, kind of immature young adult of the family, and the fact that she disagrees with this whole scenario is what brought this film home for me, making it feel relatable. | Rotten (8). I thought it was really moving. |, December 7, 2020 As Billi navigates a minefield of family expectations and proprieties, she finds there’s a lot to celebrate… Written and directed by the Chinese filmmaker, The Farewell casts rapper-turned-actress Awkwafina in her first leading role as Billi, a Chinese-American student playing a form of Wang herself. The Cultural Truth at the Heart of the Lies in ‘The Farewell’ The movie, about a grandmother who isn’t told she has cancer, led a Chinese-American writer to rethink his own family’s “good lie… Changchun (feat. Spared myself of this misery after watching 30 minutes or so. Wang says so much about the dynamic between Billi and her parents—and about their dynamic with each other as husband as wife—through subtle glances and body language, through what they don’t say out loud. Add scene description. | Rating: A The entire film is pretty perfect, actually, and it’s one of the year’s best. | Top Critics (71) Big Beach, 15 Movie Scores To Keep You Sane Through Quarantine, Adam Sandler Wins Best Actor at the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards, December 17, 2019 Instead, they planned a lavish wedding as an excuse to bring everyone together one last time. Summaries A Chinese family discovers their grandmother has only a short while left to live and decide to keep her in the dark, scheduling a wedding to gather before she dies. The percentage of Approved Tomatometer Critics who have given this movie a positive review. Copyright © Fandango. The Farewell is a comedic drama, which deftly handles the heartbreak and humor that arise from experiences of illness. Billi's family returns to China under the guise of a fake wedding to stealthily say goodbye to their beloved matriarch -- the only person that doesn't know she only has a few weeks to live. The writer and director Lulu Wang narrates a scene from her film, featuring Awkwafina and Zhao Shuzhen. A funny, sweet, heart-felt, heart-wrenching film about family, identity, love and loss. By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy When it finishes, you may not think it hit you with a bang, but it does stay with you for a longtime and haunt you with its humaneness, little moments, and the phenomenal soundtrack that captures the affect of the film so well. You're almost there! Regal A profound meditation on young vs. old and East vs. West, [The Farewell] looks to bridge a generational and cultural divide...through reconciliation and understanding. Please enter your email address and we will email you a new password. The way she has delivered such a stellar cast of characters here feels more authentic than most films out there today, especially this year. Wang took this story of devotion and well-intentioned deception and turned it into “The Farewell,” a film that’s deeply moving and unexpectedly playful in equal measure. The Farewell is insightful, intimate and emotionally heartfelt thanks to its insightful story and themes as well as its solid lead performances from Awkwafina and company. Nora Lum), who serves as Wang’s stand-in and our conduit as the voice of reason. Directed with a lot of care and effort by Lulu Wang, The Farewell follows a family as they travel to China in order to attend a wedding, simply as an excuse to bring the family together as a goodbye for a dying family member, who they refuse to give truthful information to. (Apparently, this is not an uncommon practice in dealing with the impending death of a loved one.) Sundance 2021: The Sparks Brothers, Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir, Rita Moreno: Just A Girl Who Decided to Go For It, Ailey, HBO Max’s The Head is Chilling Escapist TV, Sundance 2021: Luzzu, Hive, Fire in the Mountains, One for the Road. The image is an example of a ticket confirmation email that AMC sent you when you purchased your ticket. Kindred Spirit, SUBSCRIBE: http://bit.ly/A24subscribeBASED ON AN ACTUAL LIE. She's also on Twitter @christylemire and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/christy.lemire2. | Rating: 5/5 Just confirm how you got your ticket. We’ll say “I love you” and “see you soon” to someone close to us we won’t see again. Mykal Kilgore) Alex Weston, Mykal Kilgore. Nowhere is that clearer than in the deep affection she shares with Billi, which is evident through the warm and sparky chemistry Zhao and Awkwafina enjoy. Please reference “Error Code 2121” when contacting customer service. The Farewell is a beautifully made film with a seemingly simple story. Overdose of emotional outbursts. The tangible proximity of wedding celebration and funeral suspend the film … - Billi. Only having done one other feature film in Posthumous, The Farewell feels like a giant leap forward and I can't wait to see how her career expands. Coming Soon. Coming Soon. | Rating: 4/5 Official selection and Centerpiece of the 7th Chicago Critics Film Festival. A headstrong Chinese-American woman returns to China when her beloved grandmother is diagnosed with terminal cancer. You will laugh, you will cry. The performances alone deserve to be seen more than once. The film is loosely based on the actions of the high-ranking KGB official, Vladimir Vetrov. comedy, Ray Production, and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and Fandango. The Farewell is a great indie film that deserves more attention. Awkwafina makes history with Golden Globe win for The Farewell She's the first Asian American woman to win Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. It’s telling that Billi’s parents actually don’t want her to join them at first, they’re so concerned that her emotions for this woman she loves dearly will bubble to the surface and betray their ruse. Your Ticket Confirmation # is located under the header in your email that reads "Your Ticket Reservation Details". In this funny, uplifting tale based on an actual lie, Chinese-born, U.S.-raised Billi returns to China to find that, although the whole family knows their beloved matriarch, Nai-Nai, has been given mere weeks to live, everyone has decided not to tell Nai Nai herself. The fact it's based on writer-director Lulu Wang's real life experiences only adds the poignancy. Wang took this story of devotion and well-intentioned deception and turned it into “The Farewell,” a film that’s deeply moving and unexpectedly playful in equal measure. Farewell (French: L'affaire Farewell; literally The Farewell Affair) is a 2009 French espionage thriller film directed by Christian Carion, starring Guillaume Canet and Emir Kusturica. Christy reviewed films for The Associated Press for over 14 years. It was released in … Truthfully, I believe them to be the greatest current film studio, as far as releasing consistently great content. This story contains spoilers for The Farewell.. A man is crying—no, convulsing with sobs —on-screen inside a theater in downtown Los Angeles during a pivotal scene in the film The Farewell… I’m Lulu Wang, and I’m the writer and director of ‘The Farewell.’ “Ha!” This is … Lulu Wang never over-explains the themes or specific cultural references, which allows the movie to wash over you. And you may even find yourself changing your mind over the course of the film as to how you’d handle such a dilemma yourself. She’s such a natural that she maintains that magnetic screen presence and appealing edge even within this more somber setting. Lulu Wang is absolutely a director that I will be keeping an eye on after her work here. Billi is at a point in her life where little is … drama, “The Farewell” is a movie about death, the point at which petty hang-ups like money and prestige should cease to matter. Get the freshest reviews, news, and more delivered right to your inbox! What follows is a series of hackneyed scenes about the different interpersonal relationships within the family, centering on the heroine's bond with her grandmother. Parents need to know that The Farewell is a thought-provoking dramedy starring Awkwafina about a Chinese family that's dealing with a loved one's impending death. We want to hear what you have to say but need to verify your email. A24 is a studio that knows how to pick and choose their films wisely. Don’t worry, it won’t take long. In the end, as always, hardly any films in history are flawless, but The Farewell definitely comes close. |. From writer/director Lulu Wang and starring Awkwafina. But the most frequent source of laughs (and, eventually, tears) is the firecracker at the film’s center: Nai Nai herself, played with sprightly charisma and plenty of zingers by Zhao Shuzhen. Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis |, January 31, 2021 Her approach is so intimate and so no-nonsense, she makes you feel as if you’ve been immersed in this town, this family, this life. Verified reviews are considered more trustworthy by fellow moviegoers. Not a preferred genre and the way it was done only made it worse. She’s told a story about cultural clashes without ever leaning on wacky stereotypes or lazy clichés. We all have to fake a goodbye in our lives to someone terminally ill. We all don’t want to, but we will. 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