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Saving Face (2004) More at IMDbPro »

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76 comments in total

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86 out of 92 people found the following comment useful :-
Beautifully done, 26 January 2005

Author: Dennis from Salt Lake City, Utah

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.

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51 out of 56 people found the following comment useful :-
Exceptionally well done movie, 12 May 2005

Author: yogasong44 from United States

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!

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56 out of 67 people found the following comment useful :-
Funny, smart, and sexy, 5 April 2005

Author: blahdeblah133 from United States

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.

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48 out of 52 people found the following comment useful :-
Two women fall in love. They have to deal with cultural and family and professional issues., 18 April 2005

Author: from United States

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.

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46 out of 54 people found the following comment useful :-
A nice, light comedy worth seeing., 13 September 2004

Author: Proud_Canadian from Ontario, Canada

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.

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36 out of 38 people found the following comment useful :-
lovely romantic comedy with several twists, 30 May 2005

Author: maudebasset from United States

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!

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38 out of 47 people found the following comment useful :-
A very enjoyable and very different Movie, 17 April 2005

Author: dsa-12 from United States

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.

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34 out of 40 people found the following comment useful :-
A decent movie for a long time, 31 May 2005

Author: from New York

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.

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31 out of 35 people found the following comment useful :-
A Wonderful, Funny, Heartfelt Movie, 31 May 2005

Author: chriscavanagh from United States

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.

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22 out of 24 people found the following comment useful :-
makes you feel soooo good...., 18 May 2005

Author: (babyfacemel) from United States

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

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.

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