Review: The Wedding Banquet

October 5 2005, 10:19pm

This is not really a review of the movie, The Wedding Banquet is an excellent movie with many reviews praising it. One more praise from myself will only be another drop in the ocean. Think of it as more of a reflection about the movie. In fact, I’m watching it on CBC’s International Movie Night as I am writing this blog. Did I mention this is why I love Canadian Media and the CBC? I guarantee you will not be exposed to this caliber of foreign film on American broadcast media! For those unfamiliar with the work, a brief introduction is in order. Taiwanese director Ang Lee is a world renowned director famous for works such as “Eat Drink Man Woman”, and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”. His earlier works have always had a cross cultural element to it; “The Wedding Banquet” is such a prime example. Before there was “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, “The Wedding Banquet” was the first movie I saw that gave an accurate depiction of such a culture event. The story is simple but a very modern social issue. A Taiwanese gay man attempts to fool his traditional parents by marrying a former tenant who is in love with him. The fake marriage was to get the girl her green card, but she ends up getting pregnant on the wedding night. I’ll leave the rest of the movie plot out to encourage you to watch the movie. My favourite portion of this movie was when Ang Lee himself appears and comments on the fun foolish games and excessive drinking that Chinese enjoy during their wedding banquets, by saying that “it’s the result of 5000 years of sexual repression”. I’ve seen this movie many times and I find it very relatable. First of all, I’m not gay but I can relate to the plight of a Chinese man who is not traditional in nature. I have talked about not wanting a wedding ceremony for myself, but a Chinese wedding is by essence not for myself; only to be accountable to others (as described in the movie too). I also admire the perspective of Chinese culture; a recurring theme of all Ang Lee movies. Taiwanese people are very cultured whereas I am very lack of culture. That is why I enjoy any exposure to culture for myself. I would not know where to begin to organize a cultured wedding banquet. I wondered if I am avoiding it simply to avoid the challenge. There are so many things that can be discussed about this movie. Rather than hear me babble on, if you have seen this movie, please share your view of the movie and what issues or situations you can relate to from the movie. I look forward to hearing from you!