In a modern take, Ang Lee’s 1993 timeless film titled “The Wedding Banquet” is being reimagined for the 21st century. This new version, titled “The Wedding Banquet“, serves as director Andrew Ahn’s follow-up to his critically acclaimed work “Fire Island“. The all-star cast includes Academy Award-nominee Lily Gladstone from “Killers of the Flower Moon“, Kelly Marie Tran from “Star Wars: The Last Jedi“, Bowen Yang from “Wicked“, Han Gi-chan from “Where Your Eyes Linger“, Joan Chen from “Twin Peaks“, and Academy Award-winner Youn Yuh-jung, who was celebrated for her role in “Minari“. After its debut at the Sundance Film Festival on January 27, 2025, Bleecker Street has unveiled the first official trailer for “The Wedding Banquet“.
Set for release on Apr. 18, 2025, here’s the official synopsis for The Wedding Banquet:
Under the direction of Andrew Ahn, we have a delightful tale filled with mishaps, centering around a unique family as they grapple with the challenges and joys of fulfilling family duties, expressing their queer identities, and embracing cultural backgrounds. The couple Angela and Lee struggle financially after facing issues with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatments. Meanwhile, their friend Min, a closeted heir to a global corporate empire, has ample wealth but an expiring student visa. Upon his boyfriend Chris’s rejection of his proposal, Min proposes an unusual solution to Angela: a green card marriage in exchange for funding Lee’s IVF. However, their clandestine elopement is disrupted when Min’s suspicious Korean grandmother unexpectedly arrives, demanding a grand wedding celebration instead.
This engaging production boasts a talented ensemble of multigenerational artists such as Bowen Yang, Academy Award nominee Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Han Gi-chan, Joan Chen, and Academy Award winner Youn Yuh-jung. This modern take on Ang Lee’s cherished, award-winning romantic comedy is brimming with humor and emotion, serving as a touching reminder that being part of a family involves learning to accept and forgive one another.
The film titled “The Wedding Banquet” is a modern adaptation of Ang Lee’s 1993 movie by the same name. This story revolves around Gao Wai-Tung, a Taiwanese immigrant who identifies as bisexual, and his journey as he marries a mainland Chinese woman, Gu Wei-Wei, to obtain a green card. However, when his parents arrive, Gao is compelled to conceal the truth from his partner, Simon. The original “The Wedding Banquet” garnered the Golden Bear at the 43rd Berlin International Film Festival and was nominated for Best Foreign-Language Film at the 66th Academy Awards. Notably, James Schamus, co-writer of the original film and a frequent collaborator with Ang Lee, also contributed to the screenplay of this remake.
Early Word of Mouth Points to ‘The Wedding Banquet’ Being a Much-Needed Rom-Com
Initial buzz about “The Wedding Banquet” from Sundance has been overwhelmingly favorable. According to Mae Abdulbaki from Screen Rant, the movie earned an 8 out of 10, with her praising it as one of the top romantic comedies in recent times. She found it heartwarming, with powerful themes and mostly flawless execution. The film is expected to provoke laughter and tears equally.
As a film enthusiast, I’d say “The Wedding Banquet is a timeless rom-com with a contemporary twist that feels authentic rather than forced. The cast delivers exceptional performances, allowing stars like Gladstone and Yang to explore roles different from their typical ones. With relatable themes presented in a unique light, the movie tackles the complexities and victories of motherhood in a way that resonates deeply with queer and AAPI communities, while promising to be a delight for everyone.
Carlos Aguilar from Variety stated that Ahn has managed to establish a versatile career, working on both independent films and larger, more diverse projects. The Wedding Banquet falls under the category of larger productions, yet it retains some of the thoughtful introspection from his earlier, smaller-scale works.
Over the Easter weekend, “The Wedding Banquet” is set to premiere, a period that promises intense competition as it squares off against the much-anticipated vampire film, “Sinners“, directed by Ryan Coogler. Additionally, opening on the same weekend are the comedies “Sneaks” starring Anthony Mackie and Martin Lawrence, as well as Neon’s horror comedy “Hell of a Summer“. Despite the challenges faced by romantic comedies at the box office, let’s hope that “The Wedding Banquet” manages to draw in audiences eager for a mix of humor and romance as we approach the summer movie season.
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2025-01-29 00:32