The Wedding Banquet – Film Review
by Brian Merriman

Directed by Andrew Ahn
Screenplay by Andrew Ahn and James Schamus
Based on The Wedding Banquet by Ang Lee, Neil Peng and James Schamus
Starring: Bowen Yang as Chris, Lily Gladstone as Lee, Kelly Marie Tran as Angela, Han Gi-chan as Min, Joan Chen as May Chen, Youn Yuh-jung as Ja-Young

1993, the year Gay people were finally decriminalised in Ireland, saw the first iteration of the movie The Wedding Banquet (Director – Ang Lee). It’s billed as a rom-com, but it isn’t. It is a sweet, charming romantic story about two gay men and two lesbians in love. This new version is by director Andrew Ahn and includes one of the original writers, James Schamus, amongst its writing team.

We open with a short scene where we might expect an Asian movie, but quickly learn we are in Seattle with Asian-American characters with Korean ancestry. As Western language embraces queerness (i.e. a behaviour which is a lifestyle choice for some) to obliterate the core rights-based language, acknowledging that everyone has a sexual orientation, the script sticks to the correct terminology of gay men, gay people and lesbians. Asian cultures are not always affirming of LGBT people. There is no word in Japanese for Gay, and the third gender is openly spoken about as Katoy in Thailand. The latter, with Taiwan now legalising same sex marriage.

This screenplay acknowledges that progress and contrasts the younger family members to the older ones, where the focus now is on older people accepting their younger family members, rather than the burden of persuasion resting solely on the young. Times are changing.

Part of this self-acceptance process saw Gay and Lesbian people not out or accepted in their families, by leaving and building their own chosen families, i.e. building a network of LGBT friends, sharing accommodation and supporting each other. Angela and Lee, Min and Chris are each other’s chosen family.

There is a farcical element to the sweet plot. There is an irony that marriage between a lesbian and a gay man for Green card purposes will probably fit right into the Trump agenda at present, but it is all harmless. Another odd thing about the movie is that there is no wedding banquet at all. But we are treated to a Korean wedding ceremony, with glorious costumes, in more than a nod to the culture that begot these modern gays, now living in the US.

The contemporary challenge of making a family is also a prevalent theme in the plot, especially for the women, really nicely played by Lily Gladstone as Lee and Kelly Marie Tran as Angela. Han Gi-chan is a handsome and sophisticated young Min – a wealthy nice guy resisting going home to take over his grandparents’ business, to remain with his lover Chris (Bowen Yang), who struggles with commitment.

They live in a great house and grounds, and clearly they have a strong, trusting relationship that gives them all an enviable support network that can exist in chosen families. The insight into this is plausible and sustaining in the light-hearted plot that thoroughly entertains with its charm and sweetness.

I’m not convinced that The Wedding Banquet needed a remake when it doesn’t deal with the politics of green cards, the ongoing struggles for equality in many Asian countries. Had original writer Ang Lee (Brokeback Mountain) been involved again, perhaps it would have taken that more edgy direction. But there is no denying that the original charm of the piece does pour through the screen, to create a warm and thoroughly enjoyable, uplifting, innocent romp, with a few predictable twists and lots of good acting.

The final note goes to the older generation, Angela’s Mother, a glamorous, camp and flaky Joan Chen and a beautiful study of Min’s underestimated Grandmother by Youn Yuh-jung, who steals many a scene. The Wedding Banquet is well directed by Andrew Ahn so that it will warm the heart and leave you smiling!