Saving Face
A Chinese-American lesbian and her traditionalist mother are reluctant to go public with secret loves that clash against cultural expectations.
Critics Sentiment
Wil asks Vivian to dance and they kiss publicly at Planet China three months later
Dr. Shing pressures Wil, who then withdraws from Vivian before she leaves for Paris
The film swings from its lowest point at 6.4 when Wil coldly withdraws from Vivian under pressure from Dr. Shing, up to 8.0 in the very next beat when the wedding scene delivers the film's biggest comedic surprise with the Little Yu revelation.
Saving Face opens with warm, charming energy as Wil and Vivian's romance and Hwei-Lan's comic predicament are established, building steadily through delightful performances and culturally specific humor to a mid-film dip when the drama around Wil's emotional cowardice feels less assured than the comedy. The film recovers strongly through the wedding revelation and surges to its peak at the Planet China finale, where Wil's public kiss delivers the emotional and thematic payoff reviewers found genuinely moving and joyful.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 35
Joan Chen
Ma
Michelle Krusiec
Wil
Lynn Chen
Vivian
Jin Wang
Grandpa
Guang Lan Koh
Grandma
Ato Essandoh
Jay
Nathanel Geng
Mr. Cho
Mao Zhao
Old Yu
Brian Yang
Little Yu
Louyong Wong
Dr. Shing
Qian Luo
Mrs. Shing
Jessica Hecht
Hospital Co-Worker
Connie Hsia
Mrs. Chen
Clare Sum
Mrs. Wong
Ruth Zhang
Mrs. Yao
Jackson Ning
Mr. Chen
Paul Sum
Mr. Wong
Jamie Guan
Mr. Yao
David Shih
Norman
Richard Chang
Stephen
Crew
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