Viewed in
1994, 2012
Formats
VHS, HDTV
Premise
Based on the novel about four Chinese-American women and their mothers.
Liked
Acting, Asian pride.
Disliked
Too melodramatic.
Thoughts
Overall, it was well-acted, and it was cool to see female Asian-American actresses in normal dramatic roles. Some of the Chinese aspects of mother-and-child relationships I could relate to, and as much as I tried, I couldn't help but get weepy at the end.
What didn't work for me was that it felt too heavy-handed with the drama. It was hard to believe every mother of this quartet would have so much tragedy and heartache happen in their lives. The melodrama just felt overwhelming with the constant flashback scenes with obligatory voice over narrations and super-serious score.
I don't remember the novel well, but as a movie, The Joy Luck Club provided a some good acting, some Asian pride, but a string of implausible, overdramatic short stories.
