Double Happiness (1994)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Mina Shum

Writer:

Mina Shum (writer)

Release Date:

28 July 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Jade Li is a feisty, 20-something Chinese Canadian, trying to achieve that happy medium between giving...

Plot Keywords:

Immigration | Gay Bar | Audition | Father Daughter Relationship | Culture Clash

Awards:

6 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Claudette Carracedo	...	Lisa Chan
Greg Chen	...	Uncle Bing
Stephen Chang	...	Dad Li (Lead) (as Stephen M.D. Chang)
Estelle Coppens	...	Lead Woman in Scene with Jade
Lesley Ewen	...	Carmen the Casting Director
Donald Fong	...	Ah Hong
Nathan Fong	...	Dr. Ming Chu / Bartender
Dennis Foon	...	Director
Kevin Kelly	...	Lead Man in Scene with Jade
Gene Kiniski	...	Man at Bus Stop
Tosca Chin Wah Leong	...	Linda Taylor Wong, Ch. 4 News
Johnny Mah	...	Andrew Chau
Mimi Mok	...	Mrs. Mar
Sandra Oh	...	Jade Li
Alannah Ong	...	Mom Li

Also Known As:

Bonheur aigre-doux (Canada: French title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for one scene of sexuality and brief strong language.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

Canada

Language:

English | Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | South Korea:15 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

British Columbia Film Commission

Quotes:

Pearl Li: They're are these two peanuts walking down the street, and one of them gets a-salted.
Jade Li: Ouch.
Pearl Li: Do you get it?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "SexTV: Dragon Ladies & Kung-Fu Masters: Re-Constructing Asian American Sexualty (#6.30)" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Sugar Kane

a charming little movie

This movie was a nice little picture about a group of Asans living in Canada and they all seemed like nice people, despite the differences in how they adapt to living in a new land. The parents are very traditional and want their daughter to marry a traditional Chinese man. I like their portrayal because they want what's best for her and are not ogres. The daughter, who is NOT tradition-bound wants to make her own way in life and resists her parents by "doing her own thing" when they aren't looking.

The acting and writing is excellent, as the story rings true to life. If you like this movie, I strongly recommend EAT, DRINK, MAN WOMAN--a Taiwanese film that covers some of the same ground but seems to do an even better job (if that's even possible!).

NOTE: since first reviewing this movie, I saw BOLLYWOOD/Hollywood. It's another Canadian film but this time instead of focusing on Chinese culture, it concerns Indian culture. It, too, involves the older generations pushing their kids NOT to marry Caucasians but find a nice boy or girl from back home. Very similar and just as wonderful as DOUBLE HAPPINESS. Watch them both!