Double Happiness (1994)

Twenty-two year old Chinese-Canadian Jade Li comes from a traditional Chinese family, who try to put on the perfect public persona at all cost so as to "save face". One primary part of this... See full summary »

Director:

Mina Shum

Writer:

Mina Shum

Stars:

Sandra Oh, Stephen Chang, Alannah Ong

6 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Sandra Oh	...	Jade Li
Stephen Chang	...	Dad Li (as Stephen M.D. Chang)
Alannah Ong	...	Mom Li
Donald Fong	...	Ah Hong
Frances You	...	Pearl Li
Callum Keith Rennie	...	Mark (as Callum Rennie)
Claudette Carracedo	...	Lisa Chan
Johnny Mah	...	Andrew Chau
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Greg Chan	...	Uncle Bing
Estelle Coppens	...	Lead Woman in Scene with Jade
Lesley Ewen	...	Carmen the Casting Director
Nathan Fong	...	Dr. Ming Chu / Bartender
Dennis Foon	...	Director
Kevin Kelly	...	Lead Man in Scene with Jade
Gene Kiniski	...	Man at Bus Stop

Storyline

Twenty-two year old Chinese-Canadian Jade Li comes from a traditional Chinese family, who try to put on the perfect public persona at all cost so as to "save face". One primary part of this persona is prosperity. Jade's father hopes that true financial prosperity will become reality through penny stocks. Because of its instability, Jade's parents don't understand or widely publicize Jade's aspirations to be an actress. Their main want for Jade is to date and marry a nice Chinese boy, a goal for which Jade's extended family also strives as they are always trying to introduce her to Chinese boys. They believe that *the* boy is Andrew, with who Jade even agrees to go out. But Jade, beyond wanting to be an actress, wishes her family had more western sensibilities. She is attracted to a slightly awkward but persistent Caucasian English graduate student named Mark. Jade has to figure out how to both please her family, who would not approve of her dating a Caucasian, and be true to herself.

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Plot Keywords:

chinese | chinese canadian | actress | canadian | ice cream | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for one scene of sexuality and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Fine Line

Country:

Canada

Language:

English Cantonese

Release Date:

28 July 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bonheur aigre-doux

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Gross:

$759,393 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Columbia Film Commission, Fine Line Features, First Generation Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jade Li: I look like Connie Chung.

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Connections

Featured in Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Burnt"
Written by Harley McCanley and Mina Shum
Performed by no one in particular

User Reviews

It touched a nerve.

Several parts of this movie really spoke to me. As a Thai-American in a similar situation to Jade's, I laughed many times and nearly cried several times at scenes in this movie because of how close it hit home for myself. I disagree with other user's comments that the film is too myopic. This movie obviously deals with very personal feelings, and I would only expect Mina Shum to create a film reflecting her point of view. To make it far-reaching and covering several other viewpoints would dilute the film's vision and make it seem less honest and direct than it does.