The Wedding Banquet

Wai-Tung (Winston Chao) lives in New York with a well-paying job, a nice home, and a stable relationship with Simon (played by Mitchell Lichtenstein). Though everything appears to be going his way, his parents, unaware of his homosexual proclivities, pressure him for a marriage and grandchildren. Wei Wei (May Chin), is a tenant in a building owned by Wai, and in need of finding a way to obtain a green card or be deported. The solution appears obvious and a marriage of convenience is arranged. Wai's parents arrive from China for the marriage and the preparations for the wedding banquet begin.

What at first would appear to be a simple romantic comedy is indeed a perceptible insight in to different cultural and generational views. Despite The Wedding Banquet's apparent comedy tone, there is an intense dramatic structure that underlines the entire movie. Ang Lee manages to present a view of easily clichéd issues without falling into the easy route of presenting them so.

While viewing this movie we pass through several touching moments (between Wai-Tung and Simon and also between Wai-Tung and Wei-Wei), interspersed with riotously funny ones (the wedding banquet itself).

The acting is convincing and often emotionally charged (Wai-Tung's arguments with Simon in front of his parents).

Technically, it is a "simple" movie, well made but without novelty. The editing is basic but carefully done, without leaps or non sequiturs.

The Wedding Banquet won the Golden Bear Award at the 1993 Berlin Film Festival and the Best Film and Best Director citations at the 1993 Seattle International Film Festival

Though perhaps not a pivotal film in its theme, it is an interesting experience and first rate entertainment.