Il circolo della fortuna e della felicità

Words fail to capture the essence of this film. I read the book before I saw the movie and as anyone can tell you, the book for a movie is usually a lot better, but in this case and I think they are both on the same level. I watched this movie again for the umpteenth time today and every time I watch it I see the magic again. It makes me think of my own relationship with my mother and my relationship with my daughter. This is the story that made me feel in love with Asian film.

There are quite a few themes in this movie. One that springs to mind for me, right away, is that of a generation gap AND a cultural gap. This is a story about Chinese-American girls, growing up in America, raised by women who came of age in Mainland China, decades earlier. One interesting thought: most of these Chinese mothers came to America, wishing to fight like a tiger for their daughters...........wishing that they could give their daughters a much better life (and a MUCH LESS PAINFUL life) than they had. Unfortunately most of their daughters interpreted their tenacious desire to fight for them (and push them to excellence) as a lack of love: hence the "double-edged sword" of "giving their all" for their daughters.

I am all too keenly aware that this is what most people would call a "chick flick". Nevertheless, as a man, I loved it. I enjoyed how the stories of the mother's and daughter's childhoods (and their younger years in general) were interwoven throughout the movie like a Chinese tapestry or quilt. Moving in and out of the American and Chinese cultures made this even more interesting to watch. Every tale, that each Chinese mother narrated, was like a work of art: a work of art complete with flutes, violins and various types of Chinese instruments in the background. Their tales were also frequently accompanied by breathtaking views of snowcapped mountains and the wide, open Chinese countryside (so very similar to what we have seen on sheets of rice paper or on porcelain plates).

There was also a lot of powerful energy in this film. Not all of it was the negative energy of deep conflicts and emotional strife between mother and daughter. Much of it was quite positive and invigorating: the energy that filled the room of these daughters and mothers when they got together to CELEBRATE LIFE at an "extended family" party...........The very moving and touching energy, that surged forth, when mother and daughter often came together, after years and decades of conflict..........and realized that they were on each other's team..........The tears of joy that often sprang forth, when a given daughter realized, for the first time, that her mother was not disappointed in her..........and that her own happiness was PARAMOUNT, in her mother's heart.

In a small way, it did bother me that every single one of the Chinese mothers came from a dysfunctional family (and/or background). I do realize, however, that the overall story would not have been anywhere near as "riveting", had each daughter not had a mother who had to fight and claw her way to survival (and to sanity!). I will say that, of all the mothers, Tsai Chin's Lindo Jon character was perhaps the most unforgivable role model for maternity. Most of my friends, who have seen this movie, agree that she was almost HATEFUL in her attitude toward her daughter! However, this part of the movie did help make the overall plot very interesting (and deeply charged with emotion!).

A few closing comments: as a former student of Chinese History I really enjoyed seeing some of the common Chinese familial traits played out in this movie: respect for elders, honoring one's ancestors and being an obedient child. Finally, I must compliment the casting director of The Joy Luck Club: you selected some of the prettiest little girls to play the mothers and daughters in their earliest years.

If you're an Asian-American woman with parental conflicts around culture then prepare to cry at this wonderfully fabulous film. So many cultural issues come up that you never know when you'll be hit with a wave of recognition. There are many laughs here as well. You just don't know when they'll arrive. This is a definite must for anyone struggling to understand how to incorporate their ethnic heritage in the massive American melting pot.

I think I feared seeing "The Joy Luck Club" because it just screamed chick flick all over the cover, but my mother kept insisting it was an excellent film that anyone could really enjoy. So, I let my guards down and I was pleasantly surprised by this uplifting and rewarding drama about mother's and daughter's. Just wanting what is best and growing up wisely. I know this sounds silly, but this film made me not only appreciate being an American even more, but it also made me fell better as a woman. The four "Auntie's" had such wisdom and I felt that their stories were so heart wrenching but true and realistic.

One of my friends is from China and she told me how women are treated there and it just broke my heart, watching this movie helped me realize more how much I should appreciate what I have. I even called my mother after the film and told her I loved her because she always tried her best to look out for me. The four stories of how the mother's made their journey to America and raised their daughters was very touching and the ending felt like it could only be a new beginning. I would highly recommend this movie for anyone, it's perfectly directed and acted.

8/10

Joy Luck Club is a deeply moving film that will touch the heart and mind of anyone who opens themselves to it's messages about life.

If someone (such as darkfalz) feels this film speaks more of women's shallow choices, they miss out on humanity for the sake of superficial judgment.

This is a film about hard choices and sacrifice. It's a story of the generation gap that inevitably occurs between immigrant mother's and their daughters who were brought up surrounded by different values. Each mother strives to raise her children in a way that will bring them success and joy in life. Each hopes to free their offspring from the pains they themselves had to endure.

It is also about the Chinese way of pushing a child to be the best, and gives insight into a mother's need to see her own struggles amount to something great in her daughter. However, this is not just about Asians. It is about all parents hopes and all children's frustrations with fulfilling those dreams.

In America the story of the first generational gap is a very real and painful one. It happens for boys as much as girls, and I know a lot of men who relate to this film despite it's inherent chick flick nature. It celebrates the need to keep your roots and history alive, even if you let go of certain traditions that you were not born into.

The women in the film often make hard choices. Many of them folly and sin, but it is not a film about forgiving them so much as it is about the lasting effect of the choices we make.

Everyone should see this film. It's one of the most honest human dramas out there.