The Farewell Movie Review

“The Farewell” is a wonderful look into a Chinese-American family with a family crisis in full swing. It has a great ensemble cast of ethnic Chinese actors and much of the dialog is in Mandarin (with subtitles). But that should not scare you off, because the words spoken (and translated) show a unique love of a special grandmother. She lives in China, and she is diagnosed with cancer. But the family is agreed not to let her know. That is why it states the story is “based on an actual lie”. Instead the family uses a wedding as an excuse for all of them to get there and visit. That way, each of them can give grandmother Nai Nai – “The Farewell”.

The beloved family matriarch is named Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen) and she lives in Changchun, China. Her younger sister, called Little Nai Nai (Lu Hong), still lives nearby. She is the one who intercepts the bad news of the diagnosis. Nai Nai is stricken with cancer and it does not look good. But the family keeps this news from Nai Nai, otherwise she might become depressed and morose. Her son Haiyan (Tzi Ma) and his wife Jian (Diana Lin) have moved to America. They have a daughter named Billi (Awkwafina). Billi is shocked to hear about the bad news concerning her grandmother’s health. But is even more confused when they say nobody should tell her about it. Instead, they all plan on going to visit Nai Nai in China. Not to see her before she dies (so they say), but for a wedding.

Haibin (Jiang Yongbo) is Haiyan’s older brother, who now lives in Japan. He has a son named Hao Hao (Chen Han) and he is planning to marry his Japanese girlfriend Aiko (Aoi Mizuhara). So the wedding is set up in China – not in Japan. Everyone in the family gets over there to attend the wedding (but really to see Nai Nai – one last time). Billi is not planning on going, until she decides that she must also see her loving grandmother. Her parents are afraid that Billi might say too much and spill the beans. They are iron-clad set on not telling Nai Nai what terrible news is in her future. Nai Nai is more concerned with every minute detail of the wedding and all of the plans for the big party.

Billi and Nai Nai reconnect in a charming and loving way. Nai Nai is always concerned about Billi, always asking if she is getting enough sleep, enough to eat – and if she has any special male friends. Billi is glad to be there with her. The idea that her special grandmother has cancer is scary to Billi. But Nai Nai still shows that she has more energy and spirit than most people under 30. She is ready to argue with the banquet hall and the catering company – making sure that only the best will do. She invites all the people that she used to know. Also, the family visits the grave site of Nai Nai’s late husband, to make sure he is going to give his blessing from beyond the grave.

There are hotels with odd guests and elevator that are out-of-order. There are visits to a day spa for a wee bit of relaxation, and Billi finds out about ‘cupping’. But the final big shindig comes to a head at the wedding party. There is (as usual) plenty of food and drink. There are family and friends all around Nai Nai, as well as around the happy couple. But mostly around Nai Nai. She loves to have the attention, but Nai Nai is gracious and charming – she sends people off to greet the newlyweds. Billi is happy that she was there to witness it all, but she soon becomes sad again. If that diagnosis is correct, how long will Nai Nai even be around? Will this be Billi’s final chance to give her wonderful grandmother “The Farewell”?

Lulu Wang has taken a bit of her family history and created a very moving and heartfelt portrayal of family love. It is love for you elders, and love for your situation and your country. The actors are perfectly cast and mesh together on screen as a true extended family. Awkwafina stands out as Billi, with her sensitive peering into your soul. Zhao Shuzhen is a wonderful addition as Nai Nai. She is strict and sweet at the same time. Tzi Ma and Diana Lin are both really good as Billi’s parents.

Get out your English-to-Mandarin dictionary and see this movie!

In Phoenix , it will be playing exclusively at the Scottsdale Harkins Camelview.