Saving Face (2004)

A Chinese-American lesbian and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.

Director:

Alice Wu

Writer:

Alice Wu

Stars:

Joan Chen, Michelle Krusiec, Lynn Chen

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michelle Krusiec	...	Wilhelmina 'Wil' Pang
Joan Chen	...	Hwei-Lan Gao - Ma
Lynn Chen	...	Vivian Shing
Jin Wang	...	Wai Gung - Grandpa
Guang Lan Koh	...	Wai Po - Grandma
Jessica Hecht	...	Randi - Hospital Co-Worker
Ato Essandoh	...	Jay - Neighbor
David Shih	...	Norman
Brian Yang	...	Little Yu
Nathanel Geng	...	Stimson Cho
Mao Zhao	...	Old Yu
Louyong Wong	...	Dr. Shing
Clare Sum	...	Mrs. Wong
Qian Luo	...	Mrs. Shing
Richard Chang	...	Stephen

Storyline

In Manhattan, the brilliant Chinese-American lesbian surgeon Wil is surprised by the arrival of her forty-eight year old widow mother to her apartment. Ma was banished from Flushing, Queens, when her father discovered that she was pregnant. The presence of Ma affects the personal life of Wil, who is in love with the daughter of her boss at the hospital, the dancer Vivian Shing. Once her grandfather has promised that her mother would only return to Flushing remarried or proving that it was an immaculate conception, Wil tries to find a Chinese bachelor to marry Ma.

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Plot Keywords:

lesbian love | mother daughter relationship | sex | bare breasts | shanghai china | 

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Taglines:

A romantic comedy about right, wrong and everything in between.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The scene in the video shop with Joan Chen features a shot of the video for The Last Emperor (1987). Chen starred in that movie.

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Goofs

Wil consistently wears her hair in a tightly pulled back ponytail, but shortly after her mother moves in she goes to visit her grandfather wearing an army T shirt. While she's adjusting the TV antenna, her hair is uncharacteristically puffed up with no explanation. All scenes before and after show her hair in the tight ponytail. Quite a bit later, there is a scene where Wil's mom sends her to the beauty shop to find out gossip. It's there that Wil is wearing the same army T shirt and getting her hair rolled up in big curls - the end result of which would be puffed hair!

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Quotes

[Wil and Ma watching a soap opera]
Wil: Is that the good guy?
Hwei-Lan Gao - Ma: No, he's marrying her for money.
Wil: Is that the good guy?
Hwei-Lan Gao - Ma: No, that's his brother.
Wil: Who's that guy?
Hwei-Lan Gao - Ma: He's the most evil of them all, he wants to ruin her family to avenge a grudge.
Wil: Who's the loser they're beating up?
Hwei-Lan Gao - Ma: That's the good guy.

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Connections

Featured in Romantic Comedy (2019)

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Soundtracks

Forever and a Day
Written by Marc Anthony Thompson
Performed by Marc Anthony Thompson
Published by Skillet Turtles (ASCAP)

User Reviews

Delicate and Delightful Romance

In Manhattan, the brilliant Chinese-American lesbian surgeon Wil (Michelle Krusiec) is surprised by the arrival of her forty-eight years old widow mother (Joan Chen) to her apartment. Ma was banished from Flushing, Queens, when her father discovered that she was pregnant. The presence of Ma affects the personal life of Wil, who is in love with the daughter of her boss in the hospital, the dancer Vivian Shing (Lynn Chen). Once her grandfather has promised that her mother would only return to Flushing remarried or proving that it was an immaculate conception, Wil tries to find a bachelor Chinese to marry Ma.

"Saving Face" is a delicate and delightful romance that explores the clash of cultures of different generations in a Chinese community. The quote: "- The world is getting too hard to predict" defines the conflictive situation of the conservative old generation seeing the modifications of behavior in the younger generations raised in a different culture in their new country. The gorgeous actresses have convincing performances is this entertaining fell-good romantic comedy. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Livrando a Cara" ("Saving Face")

Details

Official Sites:

Sony Classics [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Mandarin Shanghainese

Release Date:

24 June 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Saving Face

Filming Locations:

TWA Hotel, John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$75,104, 29 May 2005

Gross USA:

$1,187,266

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,236,518

Company Credits

Production Co:

Destination Films, Forensic Films, GreeneStreet Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

91 min 96 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1