Opened: September 8, 1993

Directed by: Wayne Wang

Starring: Tsai Chin, Kieu Chinh, Lisa Lu, France Nuyen, Rosalind Chao, Lauren Tom, Tamlyn Tomita, Ming-Na Wen, Ying Wu, Irene Ng, Emmy Yu, Yi Ding, Faye Yu, Mai Vu, Melanie Chang, Michael Paul Chan, Andrew McCarthy, Christopher Rich, Russell Wong, Vivian Wu, Victor Wong, Xi Meijuan, Hsu Ying Li, Diane Baker, Wy Tianming, Elizabeth Sung, Chao-Li Chi & Philip Moon

Based on the beloved book by Amy Tan, The Joy Luck Club is a multi-generational story of perseverance and friendship. Only the second American film to feature a majority Asian cast telling an Asian story, this was a game-changer that unfortunately didn’t reap benefits until the release of Crazy Rich Asians a quarter century later.

June (Ming-Na Wen) is having a farewell party before she travels to China to meet her long-lost sisters. Though her mother Suyuan (Kieu Chinh) recently passed, the remaining members of The Joy Luck Club and their daughters are in attendance. Each mother/daughter pair has a deep history of transitioning to American life.

There are many stories to be told, but through flashbacks and voiceovers, they’re easily achieved. The ensemble cast is terrific and bring the tension between generations.

Final say: A celebration of culture. ★★★★☆