The Joy Luck Club (1993) User Reviews (125)

Glorious Film making

[Ironboundfw · 9/10 · 2 August 2003]

Every time I look back at movies through the years, I find myself wondering why The Joy Luck Club did not make a huge splash in the awards circle. The film is one of the BEST FILMS of my lifetime. It will always represent to me, the dream that is America.

I think it's because the emotions of the film are so universal, that I count it as one of my favorites. I am male, I am hispanic, I came to the United States when I was 13 years old. I felt alienated, lonely and hopeless, could anyone really understand all that I wanted to do, all that I wanted to become. How do you reconcile your cultural roots, with wanting to fit into the American Dream.

I try to watch The JOY LUCK CLUB as often as I try to read the book. Because it reminds me that we are all connected in so many ways. That our dreams and desires are not all together different. that Love reaches beyond race, beyond politics and beyond time.

when I saw this film I thought, The Academy of Arts and Sciences would gush over it. But it never reached the kind of acclaim it truly deserved. I think it's because most film makers field of personal experience limited in reaching and feeling. Most of the Academy comes from back grounds that didn't see struggle, that doesn't see the world in unison, but in carefully separated categories. This to them was not a human experience film, it was a film for a minority group. But, while The JOY LUCK CLUB is life affirming to some, to those who have lived the similarities, it is life changing.

Excellent Film

[booboobear1970 · 8/10 · 24 November 2002]

The first time I sat down to watch this it was just because there wasn't anything else on. I mean what would a single guy in his late twenties be interested in a film about relationship between Chinese-American women and their mothers? Well I was wrong. This film was very captivating and moving. It does excellent job of showing the universal issue of generational differences and the love that exist between parents and their children. All of the perfomances in this film were excellent. 8 out of 10 stars.

affecting

[cherold · 9/10 · 26 May 2004]

It's surprising they managed to make a movie out of The Joy Luck Club, which was, after all, a series of anecdotes by 8 different people. But somehow they did it, seamless weaving in and out of the characters' reminiscences.

Joy Luck Club could reasonably be described as a chick flick - it is, after all, a film about a bunch of women and their feelings - but that would be a disservice. "Chick flick" has become a somewhat derogatory term, partially because it was a term created by guys who find women and their feelings annoying, but to a great extent because most movies in this class are shoddy pieces of tripe like "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood." If movies of women and their feelings were all this intelligent, insightful and affecting I doubt anyone would have even coined the term "chick flick." This is a movie of honest emotion that leaves you with a sense of fulfillment, a rebuke to all those manufactured, syrupy women's movies that Hollywood churns out. Highly, highly, HIGHLY recommended.

Different strokes for different folks

[lschow310 · 12 June 2003]

I have read the book and seen the movie. I have also read reactions to both. Some really liked it and found it to be very real, while others hate it and object to the "stereotype." It seems to depend on whether you could relate to the stories, characters, or themes.

I myself could relate very well to the stories, but that could be because I too have experienced the intergenerational and intercultural conflict as an American-born Chinese daughter with a very traditional Chinese mother. Many other American-born Chinese women who were born in the 1960s could relate to the stories very well also. For us, we would start crying as soon as the first sentence is made.

I didn't experience everything that June, Rose, Lena, or Waverly went through, but on a grander scale, they are dealing with issues that I have struggled with as well.

I understand that there are other women who could relate to it as well, and these are not Chinese women--or even Asian women. Perhaps Amy Tan has touched on universal themes that women of other nationalities could relate to.

On the other hand, I have found that some people who are ten years younger than me didn't like the book/movie too much and found the characters "stereotypical" or "unrealistic."

Some Caucasian males didn't like this book/movie either, and again it comes back to them not being able to relate to it.

I understand another user's comment about the negative portrayal of Asian men, but this person has forgotten about June's father who was portrayed as a very likeable man who was trying to bridge the gap between his wife and his daughter. As for his objection of the daughters marrying Caucasian wives, he needs to realize that there are other issues/reasons involved and it's not because Chinese-American women like them "hate Chinese men."

In short, this movie is very good at portraying the intergenerational and/or intercultural conflict between people who are caught between two cultures. Women like me have cried while watching this movie because the issues have been very real for us. For those who could not relate to it or cannot see the "reality" of it, then this movie would not be for them.

I Honestly Love This Movie

[StephanieGould · 10/10 · 8 August 2002]

The Joy Luck Club is a movie based on the bestselling novel by Amy Tan of the same name. It is one of the best movies I have ever seen in my life. It combines the stories of mothers and daughters to tell one sincere story of friendship. It is one of the finest pieces of acting collaberations among an ensemble cast. It also combines foriegn film with American film in a way giving it a new style. This movie is almost ten years old. For me it never gets old and the stories are also fresh. I like the set up of the movie or the sequence rather, better than the book. It seemed to make more sense. It also has the movie and book on the same level of unique style and everlasting stories to go along with it. Many of the performances were powerful. Even those who only spoke the Chinese language in the film should have gotten awards for performances that made me laugh and cry. I would recommend this film to anyone who wants to see an honestly good film without the Hollywood hype. Rent it, you won't regret it.

Anyone who does not cry during this movie has no heart!!

[alanahspop · 10/10 · 1 February 2000]

Yes, this movie, about mothers and daughters, can move people to tears, especially the ending. as a parent, i think of my daughters when i watched each tale of parent and child. each time i do watch, tears fall, even the music from the intro rips my heart out. my wife laughs at me, but i do not care, i am deeply moved by the story of the four daughters growing up and listening to their mother's tell theirs' take your sweetheart to this movie, if no tears, kick them to the

A great film.

[asc85 · 10/10 · 3 November 2005]

One of the best films of the 90's, I think. This would have been my favorite film of 1993, if not for Schindler's List.

Although I saw the movie first and then read the book, this is one of the few examples where I think the movie surpasses the book.

Amy Tan is a magnificent storyteller, and one of the best out there, IMHO. It is regrettable that many others don't realize this, as she writes primarily about Mother/Daughter relationships from a Chinese point of view, and therefore many don't want to give her a chance. The book "The Bonesetter's Daughter" by her is also magnificent.

Each time I see "The Joy Luck Club," I pull new things out of it. However, the speech towards the end of the movie about her daughter having "best quality heart" always breaks me up.

Not enough praise!

[bassmistress_666 · 10/10 · 9 September 2005]

I cannot praise this movie enough. It leaves me walking away feeling empowered! I had a very close relationship with my mother and after she passed this movie helped me with my grief. It is more than a "chick flick" it is a look into another culture's past, present and future. It is a light at the end of a tunnel for those that hold this movie dear to their hearts as I do. This movie helps you run thru all aspects of feelings, I find myself laughing, crying, sad, happy. Every woman I have shared this movie with or recommended to have thanked me endlessly for it. I have also read the book - now normally I would say the book was better but I'm going to have to agree with Theaterchica07's comment that the movie was easier to follow than the book. I reread it 3 times before my mind could actually put together the scenes. My favorite part of the movie is Rose standing in the rain and she says "You're not taking my house, you're not taking my daughter, you're not taking any part of me, because you don't know who I am. I died sixty years ago. I ate opium and I died for my daughter's sake. Now get out of my house!" That right there sent instant chills thru me. Well done!!!

too-polite rendition of a popular novel

[mjneu59 · 6/10 · 29 November 2010]

Amy Tan's bestselling novel has been adapted for the big screen into a respectable but artless melodrama, tracing in a colorful anthology of flashbacks during a family reunion in San Francisco the often-tragic lives of four Chinese women and their adult daughters. The cultural differences separating each of the quartet of traditional Chinese elders from their modern American children give each episode a special poignancy, but while criss-crossing two hemispheres and three generations the film is forced to lean too heavily (out of necessity) on the crutch of constant voice-over narration, presumably quoted straight out of the book.

It looks and sounds at times too much like a well-produced television drama (full screen VHS and DVD versions were 'formatted to fit your TV screen', to no real noticeable effect). In fact the film might have worked better had it actually been expanded into a mini-series. Each of the separate relationships deserves a full movie by itself, and cramming so many memorable biographies (by so many different narrators) into a single two-hour movie only dilutes the emotional impact of each story.

Extremely emotional

[dregewelsh7 · 10/10 · 11 October 2001]

All I can say is this: every person in the world should see this movie! It is a masterpiece! It is truly a very emotional film; see it when you want to see something amazing!! If you are a man, be ready to cry for possibly the first time while seeing a movie!

The Good & Bad Of 'The Joy Luck Club'

[ccthemovieman-1 · 7/10 · 24 December 2006]

On my first viewing, this film got a "fair" rating because there were not enough memorable roles and the story was confusing to me. I lost track of which person was telling their particular story at the moment. (There are eight stories woven into this two hour, 19 minute movie). I think it would be confusing to most one-time viewers to get confused here if you don't know the stories or the actors. It also got a little soap-opera-ish, too, but then again, this film was based on a best-selling book that was ready primarily by women.

On the second viewing, almost two years later, I liked it a lot more and upgraded my "star" rating considerably. It's still a "chick flick" and a feminist one. The young women are that way, the Americanized women, while their mothers, those all born in China, are quite. The older ladies are a bit too strict and their daughters are a bit too liberal. That included general morals and language - a big difference between the two generations and cultures. The feminist angle I didn't like was that in almost every relationship the man is painted as the bad guy (the abuser, the non-loving type, etc.) That kind of story bias was too much.

The more memorable of the stories turned out to be the ones with the older women, such as the one who left her two babies at the base of a tree, or the one who had to marry a young boy.

For me, the best part of the film was the cinematography. There were some beautiful scenes and great colors: bright oranges, yellows, reds and browns. Some of the young women were beautiful, too. The lady narrating in the beginning, "June" (Melanie Chang as a nine-year- old and then Ming-Na as an adult) was very appealing and had a great voice. Her story is the one that begins and ends the film. That ending, by the way, is almost guaranteed to bring a few tears.

Overall, a wonderful visual movie and a great venue for Chinese-American actresses, all of whom I found fascinating to watch.

What a great movie! Truly a film that fills you with emotion!

[rances · 10/10 · 27 May 2003]

This film is truly a classic. The stories will touch your heart and make you laugh and cry. The cast did an excellent job of portraying these diverse women. You will love each character. A movie every woman should see.

Could have been better

[PatrickH-2 · 6/10 · 29 May 1999]

This movie is crippled by its structure- bouncing aimlessly between a number of different story lines gives it an unfocused feeling. Also a problem- the characters aren't especially well-drawn. The older aunts bear only a tenuous relationship to their younger selves; the girls in the younger generation are totally uninteresting. Cliches abound- the arranged marriage, the competitive mothers living vicariously through their girls, etc. The real problem is that there are too many stories, characters, narrators, etc. to properly draw each one. What is left is something of a hodgepodge. The performances of the older women are good, though.

Stereotypical portray of Asians

[bettytuan0209 · 2/10 · 3 March 2014]

As an Asian in the US I really hate this movie. I think it's a very narrow one-sided and stereotypical portray of Asians. All the Asian women have terrible stories of being dominated by jerks (usually the husband). I must say that some of the cultural and historical background is true and I will admit that some of these do reflect reality in China or Asian cultures, but it is overly dramatized and exaggerated. The plot has so much room to play with that I expect to have more breadth and diversity. It just seems unrealistic that all 8 women have such tragic lives. It bothers me so much that this is the way China and Asian cultures are being portrayed in a movie that is popular in the west.

In the scene where Waverly brings her white fiancé Rich home, Rich didn't know some Chinese dining etiquette. When Waverly's mother said her fish is not salty, she was being humble and actually wanted everyone to praise it. Rich actually criticized the dish and just poured soy sauce on the fish. It hardly seems like something anyone with decent manner would do. The character of Harold, who is Lena's husband and splits the cost of everything they share, and Lin-Xiao, who is Yingying's ex-husband and abused her and openly brought his mistress home, both seem overly flat, dramatized and unreal.

There are also many noticeable flaws in the plot. For example, Ted became bored in his marriage with Rose because Rose has lost herself and let Ted makes all the decisions. Ted was going to divorce her for another women. During the divorce, Rose realized her mistakes and yelled at him "Get out of my house" and the next thing we know they are back together. The film never explained how the 4 women came to the US too.

Besides the plot, the acting, filming, editing, etc. are actually good. It's annoying some people in the scenes in China speaks mandarin with an American ascent but I'll give them a break.

Honest and Beautiful

[justducky · 11 December 2004]

Joy Luck Club is a deeply moving film that will touch the heart and mind of anyone who opens themselves to it's messages about life.

If someone (such as darkfalz) feels this film speaks more of women's shallow choices, they miss out on humanity for the sake of superficial judgment.

This is a film about hard choices and sacrifice. It's a story of the generation gap that inevitably occurs between immigrant mother's and their daughters who were brought up surrounded by different values. Each mother strives to raise her children in a way that will bring them success and joy in life. Each hopes to free their offspring from the pains they themselves had to endure.

It is also about the Chinese way of pushing a child to be the best, and gives insight into a mother's need to see her own struggles amount to something great in her daughter. However, this is not just about Asians. It is about all parents hopes and all children's frustrations with fulfilling those dreams.

In America the story of the first generational gap is a very real and painful one. It happens for boys as much as girls, and I know a lot of men who relate to this film despite it's inherent chick flick nature. It celebrates the need to keep your roots and history alive, even if you let go of certain traditions that you were not born into.

The women in the film often make hard choices. Many of them folly and sin, but it is not a film about forgiving them so much as it is about the lasting effect of the choices we make.

Everyone should see this film. It's one of the most honest human dramas out there.

This Movie Is "Best Quality"

[*DATo* · 10/10 · 29 May 1999]

I must agree with Todd Victor Leone's comment. The fact that 'The Joy Luck Club' was not nominated for at least ONE Academy Award is a TRAVESTY !!! This movie was very well directed, the acting by all actors was superb, the cinematography was excellent, camera angles, wardrobe, casting, screenplay - ALL GREAT. So why no awards ? I have come to the conclusion that Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is comprised of a bunch of silly peoples and from now on when I want an opinion I intend to come to this website and listen to YOU guys first and watch whatever you recommend on my VCR while the Academy Awards are on. I'm mad as hell and I ain't gonna take this anymore !

I have seen the 'Joy Luck Club' about five times and each time I want to be a part of this wonderful group of friends. I want them to invite me to play mah-jong and taste all the wonderful Chinese foods they make and I'd just love to ask June out on a date (she's so cute). So far I am an Italian / American but when I watch this movie I want to be an Italian/Chinese/American.

This movie is actually eight stories in one but each has a common thread which is the gifts given and received my mothers and daughters to each other - gifts of hope, courage, resolve, and acceptance. This movie is definitely a tear jerker but after five viewings my tears now remain in their ducts and refuse to be jerked but I still love this fantastically wonderful celebration of art and the cultural diversity that makes America great .... despite the ineptness of The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Most favorable.

[artie-8 · 10/10 · 13 November 1998]

Movie started slowly for me.However, as the storyline began to take form and meaning ,I realized I had chanced upon a marvelous movie that really grabbed your heart while part of it grabbed your throat." A magnificent moment in movie making". I doubt that I recognized more than one or two of the ten major characters but it has a long time that have been so impressed with a group of actors. The title was prophetic for me. It was a great Joy to see it and it was sheer Luck to chance upon it.

One of the few movies that teared me up.

[OllieSuave-007 · 10/10 · 7 March 2014]

I read Amy Tan's novel The Joy Luck Club in high school and on my leisure time, and became one of my favorites. It is a combination of fantastic stories about four young Chinese women learning the walks of life from their mothers, whose life stories of love, hate, sacrifices, honor and war are retold in the novel and powerfully depicted in this movie, which are acted out through a series of flashbacks from the daughters' present day lives to their mothers' past in feudal China.

Ming-Na Wen, Tamlyn Tomita, Lauren Tom and Rosalind Chao play the four daughters and each gave a powerful and realistic performance in their respective roles. The same goes with their on-screen mothers, played wonderfully by Kieu Chinh, Tsai Chin, France Nuyen and Lisa Lu. Their mother-daughter and friend-friend chemistry together were inspiring and a joy to watch and experience.

This movie made me appreciate my Chinese heritage as it delves upon another's struggles and perseverance through the culture's past, present and future, and explore how one can cement his/her relationship with one's child or parent and learn from each other to better their lives. The scene where Kieu Chieh's character Suyuan flees China from the Japanese occupation, pushing a cart with her newborn twin daughters and a handful of her belongings in it was such a strong scene that it put tears to my eyes. The cart collapsing with her daughters and belongings spilling out furthered the emotion. Then, the following part where Suyuan had to make the difficult decision to leave her daughters behind, knowing she couldn't care for them, and putting some jewelry and a black & white picture of herself with the baby bundle finally sent me crying my eyes out (I have never had this much years in any of the movies I've seen).

Kudos to Amy Tan for writing such a powerful novel and kudos to Director Wayne Wang for directing such a beautiful movie and cast. I enjoyed every minute of it and I highly recommend it to anyone.

Grade A

One of my favorites!

[iorillac · 10/10 · 28 August 2002]

Just like two days ago I remembered how much I liked this movie. I checked here for the comments because I was sure to find most people would agree that it is a great movie, and surely enough that was the case. Well, luckily last night flipping through the channels there it was, maybe 20 minutes into it. So of course, I had to watch it again. My God. I had forgotten how terribly SAD this movie is, I think I went through a whole box of tissue. WOW! I could agree with a couple here that it may be a chick flick because it portrays relationships between mothers and daughters, but men have a chance of learning a few things about us women and how cruelly men can treat us. This is a MUST - SEE. 10/10 stars.

Joy and luck, two things that are hard to come by

[view_and_review · 7/10 · 6 June 2020]

"The Joy Luck Club" is a warm adorable movie about four mothers and four daughters. The four mothers were all from China and they all had a tragic story of some degree about their lives in China before coming to America. The four daughters were largely insulated from such trials and tribulations having been born and raised in the U.S.

Even though the movie centers on these four and their family dynamics, it is more about cultural differences. The four daughters were Chinese, but their connection to China was only as much as their racial makeup and whatever their mothers imparted upon them from Chinese culture. The daughters were far more American than Chinese and couldn't even imagine the world their mothers came from.

In that sense, the movie was about love, family, and culture--the sacrifices made for them and how they all create a complex and intricate fabric of a person's being.

Under-Appreciated

[mgatton · 10/10 · 5 December 1999]

One of the best "coming to America" stories ever, thought that was not the main plot of this film. The friendships this movie portrays in these women is beautiful and real. The movie positively portrays the Asian-American community. These four women are part of this country but have not forgotten who they are and culture they come from. I wish there where more movies like it.

A perfect example that a movie is a short story, not a book

[SantyClz-2 · 7/10 · 2 January 2001]

The Joy Luck Club was about as good as could have been expected from the attempt to make a rather full-bodied book into a single movie. It just can't be done in a way that does justice to the book.

On the other hand, the casting and acting were superb, what was left of the plot was delicately handled (for Oliver Stone) and the overall result is a movie which is definitely worth seeing.

I rated it a 7 (I've never given a 10). If I were still dating, I would probably have rated it higher as your date will love it, and you will enjoy it much more than many other "date" movies.

A Touching Tale of Love Between Mothers and Daughters

[bacchanalia · 10/10 · 5 October 2001]

I've read many of the recent comments made by IMDB members and am disappointed by various posts. Although I do agree with some that the portrayal of men was sometimes rather harsh, but everyone must remember that this movie's focus is relating to WOMEN! Including that not all male characters were negative, this film is about women dealing with believing in themselves and their mothers. Take for example, Rose, her husband loved her for who she was, but she was caught up in the traditional Chinese ideal that a wife must be obedient and self-sacrificing. Not understanding, her husband, of course, felt alienated and strange towards her. There is one scene where he tries to get her to talk for herself, to make her stop groveling before him, but she refuses to feel that she deserves anything. Eventually, Rose's mother gets her to see this through her own personal history of finally standing up for herself, her mother, and a generation of future women.

I am a first generation Chinese-American and the stories told by Amy Tan strongly empathized with me. These tales are a touching revelation of the tangible coldness that Chinese daughters and mothers often keep in their relationship. Although we may not always be able to say the things we mean or act the way we feel, there is that unspoken but often thought of love and connection between all mothers and daughters. This is especially apparent within the movie that accurately depicts the pain and anguish but above all hope that humans hold on to throughout their lives as a means to an end. I loved this movie that brought unhindered tears to my eyes and allowed me to see my mother through a different view. It is still difficult at times to remember that my mother has a story behind her tears and a history behind her bitterness, but at least I can understand that my mother only means well for me and my future, and I plan to make her proud.

I am definitely not saying that this movie is for everybody, because apparently it is not, but see it and don't judge too quickly until you've let the true message of the film settle in. I would also like to say that those of you who disliked the film, please put reasons behind your complaints for thus far I have only seen a few negative comments that have made any sense to me.

Enjoyable

[ian_harris · 7/10 · 25 March 2003]

We enjoyed this movie. The constituent stories are fairly predictable; four families, each mother with a heart-rendering tale from China and each daughter with a modern tale in San Fran. Some of the dialogue is truly cheesy. But it is all well acted, beautifully filmed and it held our attention for its two hours plus span. Worth seeing.

Not Really That Good.

[earthbelowus · 5/10 · 6 June 2006]

I haven't seen Wayne Wang's other work, but I was not impressed by this particular movie. I absolutely loved the novel. I was amazed at how much Wang was willing to depart from the novel, whether for brevity or plot. In the first scene, when they are playing mah jong, June says something like "no speaking Chinese, thats not fair!" In the novel all the daughters speak Chinese. I'm not one to quibble about book-film inconsistencies but in a movie so concerned with identity and relationships across generations and cultures, this makes no sense to me. And the score was an easy-listening abortion. I'd just like to see their reasons behind some of the decisions they made in adapting this movie. I finished the book attached to all the main characters, while the only character in the movie that I found compelling in the slightest was Lindo Jong.