East Broadway

This film had its Arizona premiere near my hometown, in Lakeside, AZ. By a strange turn of events, I now find myself doing a kind of bootlegging marketing campaign for a film that desperately needs some more attention. So here goes:

Falling for Grace is the story of Grace Tang — a street-smart business gal — who meets Andrew Barrington Jr., son of a high-profile businessman at a high-society event. While stepping lightly around other socialites, Grace is mistaken for Grace Tang, a wealthy woman who owns "Shanghai Tang," a boutique on Madison Ave. Here Chinatown and the Cinderella story collide.

The content stews together into a rather atypical romantic comedy. The Chinese overtones of the film are multi-faceted, from an anti-sweatshop subplot to the hilarious and highly believable conversations between Grace, her brother Ming and her parents. Nearly a quarter of the dialogue — and some of the funniest scenes in the film — was delivered in Cantonese and subtitled in English.

This was just a fabulous little movie, one had the feel of a big-bucks feature with the unpredictability of an indie film. The cast was great and the character development had the right mix of believable dialogue, family interaction and jokes in Cantonese.

In short, this film was well-written, witty, and slyly sweet.

All aspects of the production were extremely well done. This is an indie that was put together by big kids who know their business. Things like camera work, editing, lighting and sound were really paid due attention. Also impressive were sets, costuming and especially casting and acting. I don't often see this, but all the moving parts (people, places and things) meshed together beautifully. The director and editor both did a superb job.

The only thing I can reasonably gripe about is that the music choices got sappy at times. But, it's a romantic comedy – not my usual neighborhood.

As to the Whole Package, I left the theater feeling my ten bucks was well spent. But, it's one of those movies that I like better the more it rattles about in my brain. Which it won't. stop. doing. Oh no! As I suggested earlier this isn't my usual fare; but this one is a charmer. If it's in your quadrant, check it out.

Saw the film in Sausalito. Walked by the Marin Theater and saw a flier the producers were handing out describing the movie as charming. I don't usually go for romantic comedies but this lived up to their advertising. It is a really charming film with interesting twists, LOL funny in places and really endearing family scenes. I even choked up in a couple of places. All the actors were great and the two lead characters, Grace and Andrew, had wonderful believable chemistry. So often in movies like this chemistry between the two leads seemed forced. In Falling For Grace, you really want the two of them to get together in the end. The only actors I recognized were Margaret Cho, Christine Baranksi and Lewis Black and they were all great. The Chinese family I had never seen before but they were excellent. T The producer was there at the end and he gave interesting details that added to the wonderful theater going experience. I totally recommend!

Just came out of the screening in San Francisco today. Good audience reaction. Being an SAF, I'm all about supporting Asian American films. Yes, this is a clichéd romantic comedy. But the director and the actors do get the Asian family dynamics dead on. I was impressed by the actors they were able to get for this film e.g. Christine Baranski.

There is a slightly clever subplot to the film but I don't want to give it away. The business/legal issues portrayed in the film could have only been thought of by Fay's business school friends.

I liked Margaret Cho as the female best friend/sidekick. I think she could continue to play that role well in many other future films (Asian and non-Asian). If she doesn't mind being typecast as such.

OK, that's it for my very first film review!

"Falling for Grace" is a wonderful film that pulls on all those heart strings and is the perfect film for the entire family. My young daughters enjoyed it just as much as their grandparents. I loved the story line and the fact that the character, Grace is an intelligent, successful woman.

This movie is more than just a romantic comedy with a predictable ending. It provides a window to the life in Chinatown and the struggles around race, class, and gender. The most enduring parts of the film are Grace's relationship with her family. I could relate to Grace's connection with her parents, her challenges in the corporate world, and her childhood dreams and desires to shine.

Finally a film that stars an Asian American actor. Considering this is Fay Lee's first feature film, I think she did an incredible job. This movie far exceeds Maid in Manhattan...better story line, believable characters, and more depth. If you want to experience an uplifting and wonderful film, go see "Falling for Grace", you'll love it.