AP Review: Bowen Yang Leads Heartfelt ‘Wedding Banquet’ Dramedy on Family, Identity

NEW YORK (AP) — In director Andrew Ahn’s “The Wedding Banquet,” a modern reimagining of Ang Lee’s classic 1993 film, the complexities of identity, tradition, and found family converge in a heartfelt dramedy navigating the often-turbulent waters of cultural expectation and personal truth. The Associated Press reviews the Bleecker Street release, finding a film rich in character and emotional depth, albeit one occasionally prone to theatrical anguish.

At its core, the narrative revolves around the interconnected lives of two gay couples in New York City whose disparate needs lead them to orchestrate an elaborate ruse: a fake straight marriage. Min, a young artist portrayed by Han Gi-Chan, hails from a wealthy Korean family and seeks a pathway to remain in the United States, thereby delaying familial obligations and expectations. His partner is Chris, played by Bowen Yang, who anchors a significant portion of the film’s emotional and comedic beats. Simultaneously, Angela (Kelly Marie Tran) and Lee (Lily Gladstone) are a couple desperately needing funds for another attempt at in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Their solution? A mutually beneficial, albeit complicated, arrangement wherein Min and Angela will enter into a marriage of convenience. This setup provides Min a potential route to secure his immigration status and continue his life in the U.S. with Chris, while offering Angela and Lee the financial resources critical for their IVF journey.

Navigating Tradition and Modernity

Ahn’s direction guides the ensemble through the ensuing complications that inevitably arise when families, especially those with strong traditional ties, become involved in a life event as significant as a wedding. The film explores the pressures faced by individuals caught between honoring their heritage and living authentically in a contemporary world. While the premise involves deceit, the review notes that the film approaches its characters with a deep well of affection and understanding, allowing their humanity to shine through even in moments of crisis.

The emotional landscape of “The Wedding Banquet” includes scenes of significant crying, anguish, and characters grappling intensely with problems that, to an outside observer, might appear “seemingly surmountable.” This intensity is a key component of the dramedy, highlighting the very real stress and emotional toll that cultural conflict and difficult life choices can exact.

Performances and Found Family

The ensemble cast delivers performances that contribute significantly to the film’s warmth. Bowen Yang, known for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” brings a nuanced portrayal to Chris, capturing the complexities of being a supportive partner navigating a culturally sensitive situation. Han Gi-Chan embodies Min’s internal conflict, while Kelly Marie Tran and Lily Gladstone convey the hopes and stresses associated with their characters’ desire to build a family.

A notable source of relief and wisdom in the film is found in the older characters, who offer perspective and unexpected acceptance. Among these is May, Angela’s mother, portrayed by the acclaimed actress Joan Chen. The reviewer specifically highlights an early scene introducing May as she accepts an award from a local LGBTQ+ group, signaling a theme of generational shifts and evolving understanding within families.

AP’s Assessment and Release Details

The Associated Press review rates “The Wedding Banquet” two and a half stars out of four (2.5/4). The assessment underscores the film’s strengths in its heartfelt approach and the evident love the filmmakers have for the characters. However, it also notes the aforementioned moments where characters’ struggles feel perhaps overwrought in relation to their resolutions.

“The Wedding Banquet” is distributed by Bleecker Street and is scheduled to open in theaters this Friday. The film has received an R rating from the Motion Picture Association, citing reasons that include “language, some sexual material and nudity.” It has a total running time of 103 minutes.

In updating the original story, Andrew Ahn’s “The Wedding Banquet” offers a poignant and often humorous examination of the lengths people go to for family, for love, and for the right to define their own path, creating a portrait of modern life where traditional structures meet contemporary identities, sometimes explosively, but always with heart.