The Joy Luck Club

Name: The Joy Luck Club
Genre: Drama, Romance
Released: September 8, 1993
Duration: 139 min
Rating: 84
Cast: Rosalind Chao, Tamlyn Tomita

1993

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Universal acclaim based on 20 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 26 Ratings

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8.1

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 26 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

National Broadcasting Company (NBC) | Release Date: September 8, 1993 | R

Starring: Rosalind Chao, Tamlyn Tomita

Summary: The story of four remarkable friends whose extraordinary lives are filled with joy and heartbreak. Their lifelong friendship reveals a mosaic of the startling events and conditions that have shaped their lives -- and how these experiences have affected the hopes and dreams they hold for each of their children. (Hollywood Pictures)

Director: Wayne Wang

Genre(s): Drama, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 139 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Jonathan Rosenbaum

A highly emotional epic about what it means to be both Chinese and American. Read full review

100

Jay Carr

The Joy Luck Club is "Terms of Endearment" in quadruplicate, aimed at the heart and right on target. [24 Sept 1993, p.47]

100

Patricia Bibby

Every once in a while a movie comes along that is so stirring and so moving that it stays with you long after it's over. Like a wonderful memory, it washes over your psyche for days and bathes it in some indescribable richness. The Joy Luck Club is just such a movie. This is filmmaking at its best: a wonderful story that transcends cultures. It is beautifully set and filmed, superbly acted and masterfully directed. [7 Sept 1993]

Peter Travers

Hits hardest when it bypasses sentiment to ponder the inextricable mix of love and pain that comes with the ties that bind. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Gives refreshing -- and bittersweet -- dimension to the age-old clash between generations. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Fascinating and satisfying the way the diverse threads are knitted together into a single tapestry. Read full review

Josh Larsen

Director Wayne Wang and his dreadful cast – the performances are almost across-the-board atrocious – had no chance. Read full review

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User Reviews

TerryG.

Nov 25, 2005

Confusing, but good. 10 for the heck of it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

JLuis_001

Aug 19, 2023

A film poised to celebrate its 30th anniversary, once hailed as a pioneering work in spotlighting the Asian-American narrative, and that gave the idea that these kinds of narratives would continue to be explored in the US market, but that buzz was not seen again until Crazy Rich Asians wasA film poised to celebrate its 30th anniversary, once hailed as a pioneering work in spotlighting the Asian-American narrative, and that gave the idea that these kinds of narratives would continue to be explored in the US market, but that buzz was not seen again until Crazy Rich Asians was released in 2018. Yet still possesses an intensified, poignant essence in the way it handles emotions, allowing it to strike a chord with a broader audience.

However, there remains an inherent barrier that undeniably disconnects many from the ingrained experiences because they pertain to the Asian-American community, especially the female audience, and clearly not everyone can relate to that or understand it firsthand.

Putting this aspect aside, the film is an engaging and functional drama. With only sporadic hiccups, it maintains a fluid pace.
While some elements may feel less relatable to some, The Joy Luck Club retains its enduring relevance, even for viewers who, like me, have only recently seen it.… Expand

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