Chicago Tribune

Movie review: Playing a delicate game of Chinese family charades in 'The Farewell'

"The Farewell" sustains a mood, tone and strategy of clean lines, orderly framing and emotional containment. But that doesn't mean writer-director Lulu Wang's second feature lacks what you might call the movie stuff: the stuff of laughs, tears and, even if your family is a different sort of family entirely, the power of narrative persuasion.

While Wang may stint occasionally on the sort of character detail separating a very good film from a great one, "The Farewell" takes you to a

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune3 min read
Editorial: Wait, How Much For A Latte? Even High-flying Starbucks Is Suffering
The U.S. consumer is increasingly tapped out, and the effects are being felt in even the strongest, most resilient brands out there. Exhibit A is Starbucks. The Seattle-based coffee chain, ubiquitous in the U.S. and increasingly a truly global franch
Chicago Tribune4 min read
Review: In ‘Judgment Day’ At Chicago Shakes, Jason Alexander Delivers Huge, Old-school Laughs
CHICAGO — His loathsome character a cross between Billy Bigelow, Roy Cohn and George Burns, the “Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander sits atop a gutsy and wickedly funny new satire at Chicago Shakespeare Theater that will come as a blessed relief for anyo
Chicago Tribune17 min read
Breastfeeding Moms Sent Naked Photos, Videos To Purported Lactation Consultant On Facebook. Now They Fear It Was A Scam.
CHICAGO — Sleep-deprived and anxious about feeding their babies, tens of thousands of moms in Illinois and elsewhere recently turned to a variety of Facebook groups offering support for breastfeeding, pumping breast milk and postpartum care. Direct r

Related Books & Audiobooks