This film is a very different film than the original Ang Lee classic. The Wedding Banquet not only modernizes some of the central conflict but it changes the story in interesting ways, creating what is more of a spiritual successor to the film than an out and out remake. I was surprised at how successful this film is at breaking new ground and bringing the story to new audiences.
A big part of what makes this work is the cast. The women here, Tran, Gladstone, Yuh-jung, and Chen are all amazing giving truly wonderful performances. Not to sleight Yang and Gi-chen who are both charming, but the women here steal the show and do the heavy lifting.
The film is both quite funny and surprisingly moving. The script may stumble in a few places but the strong cast sells it anyway and really draws us in. Yes you will likely cry by the end but there will be lots of laughs too. The film, like its predecessor, celebrates the beauty that is queer chosen family and does so in lovely way. Ahn, who explored this in his rom-com-y Fire Island, returns to that theme with even greater success.
I can't really compare the two Wedding Banquet films as they end up being such different experiences, each on good in its own way. I'm glad Ahn decided to branch out here with a more original take, and find such a talented cast to tell this story with.
The Wedding Banquet
Starring: Bowen Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-chan, Joan Chen, Youn Yuh-jung
Director: Andrew Ahn
Writers: James Schamus, Andrew Ahn
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