The Joy Luck Club

Minority actors are so woefully underemployed in Hollywood (and American films in general) that every so often somebody will make a movie with a lot of good parts for them and totally corner the market on underexposed talent. One of the best "women's pictures" of the 90s

A Sirkian melodrama in the tradition of the great mid-century women's weepies, this is one of the absolute best films of 1993 and the 90s overall.

Wayne Wang's film of Amy Tan's much-loved novel succeeds in so many levels, that it's entirely natural to overlook its few shortcomings. With a very simple narrative arc, told in flashbacks, it depicts an almost rare breed of cinema: The links between mothers and daughters, with all the frustrations, wisdom and emotions they carry along. Even though the background and cultural references are all Chinese, it manages to appeal to any kind of audience. Heartfelt and uniquely perceptive.

Selling the stereotypical Chinese images to the American audience although it seems to challenge the notion of standardization.

A

Every group of expatriates needs their soap opera disguised as epic film narrative to strengthen their identity, so well done all around, I guess.

It dances on the edge of overwrought at points (I mean, it's just statistically unlikely that all four of the mothers have such goddamn tragic backstories), but overall is a fairly unique and even occasionally moving drama, highlighting Asian-American culture in an interesting way that feels pretty fresh even 22 years after its release.

I really don't think this movie gets enough credit, and I have a sinking feeling that it's because a film "for women." Don't be fooled, though -- Joy Luck Club is a gorgeous movie that explores the human condition in a way that transcends gender lines. It shines especially bright in the scenes that take place in the past, paralleling early 1900's China to a tumultuous present set in America.

Bathetic melodrama. The relatively high rating is for visuals and production values, with same game actors dealing with execrable material.

This movie seems to imply that it's okay to murder your kids. If you saw this then you know what scene I'm talking about. Under certain circumstances it might be justified but under that circumstance I think the mother's action was harsh. This is only the worst of an all-around bad movie. The mothers speak English to each other in Chinese accents (probably the most annoying accent). I'm not racist but this movie made me hate Asian people.

I cry every time.

Kind of disappointing since the book was rather good. But hey, they tried.

A complex and fascinating emotional storybook tracing the lives of friends and their family histories. Very well-cast and acted. An absolute tear-jerker.

Great film.