Common Sense Media Review
By Christie Cronan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Touching '90s family drama with mature themes, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Eat Drink Man Woman
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
EAT DRINK MAN WOMAN follows the story of a widowed father and master chef (Sihung Lung) along with his three adult daughters (Kuei-Mei Yang, Chien-Lien Wu, and Yu-wen Wang) as they navigate life's changes and challenges together around their weekly Sunday dinner table.
Is It Any Good?
Eat Drink Man Woman serves up a complex and layered meal of tasty family dynamics with a side of cultural Chinese/Taiwanese flavor. Communicating through mouth-watering food dishes and everyday acts of care, Ang Lee's early depiction of a coming-of-age family drama hits home as it shows the unspoken nuances of familial love. Painting a picture of 1990s Asian family life with care, depth, and love, Lee invites audiences to feast upon the family connection on display here. The poignant messages about showing love through food and connection remain relevant today.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the filmmakers made food a central theme of this story. What does food symbolize in the family? What do the Sunday dinners communicate even when the characters say very little at the table?
What does the film suggest about balancing traditions and adult responsibilities with personal freedom and life change?
How would this story be different if it took place today with technology, smartphones, and social media as added distractions?
How do people in your family communicate love to each other without saying the words "I love you?"
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 3, 1994
- On DVD or streaming : March 22, 2016
- Cast : Sihung Lung , Chien-Lien Wu , Kuei-Mei Yang , Yu-wen Wang
- Director : Ang Lee
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Faith ( Christianity ) , Family Stories ( Dads , Siblings , Single Parents )
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Integrity
- Run time : 124 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : August 13, 2026
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