The Joy Luck Club (R, 1993)

"The Joy Luck Club" is one of those movies that hits you in every single part of of your body--but for some reason--you want to get hit more. I read the book before and i turned on the tv to TCM, to find a realistic drama of what a Chinese women really had to face. I was shocked. I personally lived in San Francisco as a Chinese kid, and i remember furniture--just like how i knew it. I remember my sister--she had to live in China--i never even knew how she looked like until i finally saw her all grown up. All this and more happens in a finely crafted and complex masterpiece that we call "The Joy Luck Club"--the movie flashbacks eight women's journeys from China to present day America. As i was watching i was flipping the channel to another thing because of the upsetting scenes, but for some reason, i wanted more. I really did, it was just so interesting the realism in the movie, and even the story (which can be conceived as a normal--realistic Chinese family struggle). Parents... WATCH OUT! This movie is exactly how CSM says it is--gut-wrenching. You yourself may find yourself sobbing over the not-so-uncommon depressing flashbacks of the movie. For kids, they will not forget this movie, and all the emotional abuse upsetting themes will make them dream about it. Think about in school. All day long. That's why i would wait until you think your kids are mature enough to handle some brutal-but-heartwarming-material, and of course; the off screen violence, fully clothed sex-scene and sex-related themes. This film should not be mossed, but especially by the Chinese--men and women--because they will be ready to taste some nostalgia.