Starring Michelle Krusiec, Joan Chen. Written and directed by Alice Wu. (PG) 91 min. Opens July 1.
Will Smith's production company deserves praise for financing this
Chinese-American lesbian love story, whose commercial prospects seemed
dim not so much because of the gay-positive content as the abundance of
subtitled dialogue. Drawing from her own coming-out experience,
filmmaker Alice Wu has crafted a slight but sweet movie energized by a
marvelously cranky Joan Chen, speaking almost entirely in Mandarin.
Saving Face
is really two love stories: Michelle Krusiec plays Wil, a young surgeon
who has concealed her sexuality from her conservative Chinese family in
Flushing, NY. She dutifully attends the dances where the marriageable
young folk are appraised by each other and their elders. Her eye is
caught by Vivian (Lynn Chen), a fetching and witty ballerina who
pressures her to come out. The crisis is upstaged when Wil's
long-widowed mother (Joan Chen) arrives at her doorstep -- pregnant and
with no new husband in tow.
Joan Chen's wild-card presence adds
a kick to the occasionally pat proceedings. Wu's wry but respectful
take on immigrant culture and family obligations also gives some
texture to the familiar contours of the gay romantic comedy. Though the
film sticks closely to the American-indie feel-good playbook, it's too
smart to turn into
My Big Gay Chinese Wedding. Chalk one up for the Fresh Prince.