The Joy Luck Club

Terrified of watching what I believed to be a “Chick Film�, I put off watching this as long as I could. I’m disappointed in myself now, having watched it, that I judged this book by its cover. What I saw was a rich tapestry of film; intricate threads woven about a central group of friends and their intimate and personal stories.

Everything is set around a farewell party to wish the lead character, June, luck on her trip to China. Four months previously, her mother died before learning the fate of two baby girls she had abandoned in China years before. The mother’s surviving friends, ‘aunts’ to June, have found the grown babies and June is heading to China to meet them. Throughout the course of the party, we are introduced to each ‘aunt’ and her daughter and the tales of each. Each story revolves around the relationship between mother and daughter and the individual fates each has endured. It makes for compelling viewing, as the dictums of ancient China meet the modern world head-on in each story.

With an amazing cast of women and supported ably by a stable of capable male actors, this is a heartfelt excursion into the curious and unique world of parent/child relations. Told through the eyes of each woman involved in each story - both mother and daughter - the perspectives given and gained are an extraordinary insight into a complex culture and how it manifests itself when taken into the new world of America.

The extraordinary part of this film is the eight women who narrate. Through clever camerawork and intelligent film making, we are never confused as to whose story is being told or whose version it is. When you consider how many tales unfold and how many people tell the stories, it sounds intimidatingly complicated, but the telling has been accomplished with excellent simplicity. That being said, the tales aren’t rushed, finding the time to tell everything yet still all tightly controlled. I’m genuinely sorry I waited as long as I did to see this movie. Whilst this description even belies it still as a chick movie (and it is), it still has deeper messages for everyone regarding their relationship with their parents.

There are, unfortunately, film artefacts throughout this movie, but gladly there isn’t anything too major. For the most part this transfer has been accomplished well by Buena Vista, skimping on chapters so as to have each begin with an individual’s story. If restarting this film, there can be little doubt this would be helpful (though not so good if you switched it off at some random point and are hoping to restart at least near that bit). There aren’t any jitters or shakes and for the most part the film runs well. There's no nasty layer change either and all the colours are quite well duplicated with blacks and shadow levels all being excellent. Buena Vista do a pretty good transfer and this one is no exception.

First impressions were that the sound echoes a little in parts, however second impressions indicated that the echoing isn’t what I first thought it was anyhow. It seems mainly restricted to times when the story is in modern apartments with hardwood floors and sloping ceilings. This can be looked on as contributing to the authenticity of the setting and as most of these apartment parts are of a dramatic nature, it even adds a subtle claustrophobia. On the other hand, it can be looked upon as not-quite-as-it-should-have-been. Some folks might not even notice it anyway, as it isn’t overpowering at all.

Dialogue is all crystal clear and well spoken, with only occasional instances of ‘what did she/he say?’ I put this down to my inadequacy in understanding Chinese or accented English, so the movie isn’t necessarily to blame. Sound effects are all well placed and clean as well, with no overshadowing of dialogue or music. And on that subject, the music is well pitched and not too strong. It has a nice blend of modern and traditional tones to suit each story accordingly and doesn’t hamper anything, but supports it well. Whether we put that down to the Dolby Digital 5.1 surround or nice engineering, it sounds pretty good regardless.

Nothing, unfortunately. With so many cast members looking faintly familiar, it would have been a nice touch to have biographies at the least, but no. Nuthin’. Also, in a film about migrant Chinese women, and even with some of the dialogue in Chinese, why couldn't they have added Chinese to the list of Languages and Subtitles? Disappointment upon disappointment.

With no extras to speak of, at first glance one might consider this film a poor investment. However, the quality of the film’s production, story-telling and acting make this a really lovely film with some beautiful imagery and a point to make. With Oliver Stone producing you’re nearly always guaranteed a great film, and in The Joy Luck Club you get just that. Characters don’t gloss over their own inadequacies and are forthright and honest (without being preachy), and warmth is delivered without being saccharine.

A rich film filled with moving stories and a soulful belief in hope that will return each time it is watched.