by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Many people struggle with their family situation, and do not have the best structures to support them. Luckily, many of these people can find others in their lives who will love them and support them for who they are. For many queer individuals, this is necessary because their families show a lack of understanding and acceptance regarding their sexuality. That is the central dynamic that breathes life and depth into Andrew Ahn’s The Wedding Banquet.
On the surface, The Wedding Banquet boasts a bonkers and absurd romantic comedy concept. You have a young gay Korean man, Min (Han Gi-Chan), who must marry a woman to stave off his grandparents, so he decides to propose to his close lesbian friend, Angela (Kelly Marie Tran), in exchange, giving her and her partner, Lee (Lily Gladstone), money for IVF. Yeah… that is just wild enough to work for a rom-com. Yet the film goes well beyond its expected threads, digging deeper into the complex dynamics between and within its main gay couple (Min and Chris [Bowen Yang]) and lesbian couple (Lee and Angela), who happen to live together and are all friends. The film makes you think that its is really about the big lie, but it’s actually discovered quite early, opening the door for three generations and this found family to navigate their place in the world.
The Wedding Banquet explores the significance of marriage, as well as the power of relationships, and the connections we develop with those we love. Acceptance of our sexuality is the whole driving force of this madcap scheme, the film navigates this prejudice in a meaningful and moving way. There are six significant characters at the film’s heart; they each have depth, meaning in the story, and could be the main characters in their own stories.
Despite what its trailer sells, The Wedding Banquet has a rich and somber tone that feels authentic and raw. It puts its characters on a rollercoaster of emotions. There are plenty of laughs (which isn’t surprising, given the wild concept and talented cast), but the film is far more than just a mechanism for comedy, as rich, emotional moments permeate the story. Ahn navigates plenty of challenging and impactful themes with a raw and genuine commitment that leaves our characters in of challenging situations. Multiple moments of free emotional expression will bring a tear to your eye. But that doesn’t mean Ahn shuns the most romantic comedy elements of his script, as there are genuinely charming (and occasionally), over-the-top moments that will just bring a big smile to your face. Ahn’s tonal balance and control is quite impressive.
Overall, though, it’s the cast that really brings The Wedding Banquet to life. There are six legitimately moving performances that just tie the whole experience together. First, Tran is the film’s emotional anchor. The amount of empathy she brings to Angela is palpable. There are a few moments where the performance will just leave you weeping. She also nails the moments where she is uncomfortably awkward while pretending to be straight. Gladstone’s Lee is much more in touch with her emotions, exuding great confidence and presence. Her moments are bigger in expression at times, but equally as affecting. Yang’s performance so unexpected, as he pulls back the reins of his big comedic personality to be subdued yet affecting as an insecure man who is not quite ready to commit for his own love and happiness. The big surprise standout is Han Gi-Chan, who portrays Min with so much personality, while also perfectly selling his internal struggle over his sexuality, the acceptance of his family, and his desire to live his life on his own turns. Dìdi standout Joan Chen is charming and gregarious as the big, flawed, and loving mother to Tran’s Angela. Finally, Youn Yuh-jung (Minaristandout and Academy Award winner) is the right amount of reserved, strong, and impactful as Min’s grandmother whose arrival turns the lives of this whole queer found family upside down.
The Wedding Banquet has all the emotional complexity and daring of a small indie project with the recognizable talent of a bigger film. It is a beautiful combination that does wonders in the hands of Ahn. The film’s stellar cast is worth the price of admission, as each of them brings the goods, adding layers to an already deep and compelling drama. Don’t go in expecting your standard zany rom-com… this is a film rich in empathy, emotion, and thematic depth.
Rating: Loved It
The Wedding Banquet is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Instagram and Letterboxd