Qing qian la mian cha

A correct, touching film about past, family, reconciliation. And, off course, food. Clash of cultures, old traumas, delicate definitions of obstacles and reconquest of the past states , well acted and a storytelling reminding slow way of water , it is just touching and beautiful and seductive in profound senses.

This movie, while not bad, was a real disappointment. It is quite slow and disengaged. It leaned too heavily on nostalgia and melancholy, without a trace of humor to leaven things. The lead actor was handsome but not at all charismatic. He relied very heavily at looking moody and hurt. His other emotions were never convincing, like a time when he loses his temper and has an angry fit.

At least the secondary leads -- Uncle from now, Mom from the past, the potential love interest -- were much more interesting and perked up the movie as much as they could.

First: the great grand father of the main character got killed during WW2, so belelsene has got the timeline wrong. Enjoyable movie, although not much is happening.

This is like Crazy Rich Asians, minus the crazy rich, but a bit stretched out in time (see belelsene's review). A young chef leaves Japan for Singapore, location of his early life, searching for his maternal family, the secrets to his mother's notebook, and recipes to bring home. Along the way, he learns of the humble origins of the popular noodles, Singapore food, and the origin of his mother-in-law's distaste for his father.

I began watching this to take up time recovering from minor illnes. But gradually came to realise I n was watching something special.

The movie examines the misery brought on others through meaness and attitudes brought on by wartime outcomes.

I am not explaining the underlying themes very well. I need to digest this movie intellectually. Watch it. I hope it moves you like it did, me. D