The Farewell

photo courtesy of a24films.com

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW

     Awkwafina stars in The Farewell, an indie comedy-drama written and directed by Lulu Wang and based on a story previously told on NPR’s This American Life. The movie follows Billi (Awkwafina), a Chinese-American writer living in New York City. Billi is shocked when she learns that her grandmother, Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen), has terminal cancer. She’s even more shocked to learn that the rest of her family don’t plan on telling Nai Nai about her condition. On a trip to China to see Nai Nai one last time, Billi considers whether to tell her grandmother the truth.

     The Farewell is an exceptional piece of storytelling. It’s a deliberate sort of movie: quiet, almost subdued, dialogue-heavy, and therefore perhaps challenging for more restless viewers. But as the narrative progresses, it builds to powerful emotional crescendos.

photo courtesy of variety.com

     Wang’s screenplay has more on its mind than the movie’s unusual premise. She presents the physical world of the characters in the necessary detail, but her dialogue—intelligent and sometimes hysterical—expresses their internal, emotional worlds with clarity, too. There’s an art to her storytelling; only occasionally does its subtext become text. In scenes with all of the family members, many of whom haven’t seen each other in over a decade, it deftly captures their diverse, complex relationships. In smaller scenes, it delves into Billi’s interior experience, explaining why this trip (and the deception) means more to her than anyone understands. In every instance, Wang chooses her scenes wisely, delivering significant and surprising moments throughout the film.

     Wang’s direction is studied and capable. She knows how to compose a memorable shot, whether heartbreaking or hilarious, and she puts that skill to good use. Some of her best work comes during the wedding scene (the family explains their sudden reunion by putting together a makeshift wedding) toward the end of the film.

photo courtesy of indiewire.com

    And The Farewell is well-acted. Awkwafina, who tackles an emotionally demanding role, has the most to do. Wang gives her the full screen on more than one occasion, and each time Awkwafina delivers a strong performance. The supporting cast, especially Tzi Ma and Diana Lin (Billi’s father and mother), has plenty of talent to go around, but it’s Shuzhen (Nai Nai) who impresses the most.

     Shuzhen’s performance functions as the heart of the movie in more than one way. The plot obviously revolves around Nai Nai—everyone goes to China to see her—but she’s also the movie’s emotional center. Scenes between Nai Nai and Billi are gentle and heartfelt, and her presence illuminates details about Billi’s personal life. In her later scenes, she carries crucial emotional weight in the movie’s culminating moments. Most significantly, she crystallizes what the movie is about: the surprising intersections of joy and grief in family life.

The Farewell is rated PG for thematic material, brief language and some smoking.

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