The Wedding Banquet is a romantic comedy film directed by Ang Lee and released in 1993. The film tells the story of Wai-Tung, a Taiwanese immigrant living in New York City who is in a long-term relationship with his boyfriend, Simon. Wai-Tung's traditional Taiwanese parents, who live in Taiwan, expect him to get married and start a family, and they constantly pressure him to find a suitable wife.
To placate his parents and avoid their interference in his personal life, Wai-Tung agrees to a sham marriage with Wei-Wei, a young artist who is seeking a green card. The couple agrees to keep the marriage a secret and to live separately, with Wei-Wei living in Wai-Tung's apartment and pretending to be his wife.
As the wedding preparations begin, Wai-Tung's parents arrive in New York and start planning an elaborate wedding banquet. Meanwhile, Simon becomes jealous of Wei-Wei and begins to suspect that Wai-Tung is having an affair. The film's plot is driven by the tension between Wai-Tung's desire to maintain his secret marriage and his parents' expectations for him, as well as the complications that arise when Simon becomes involved.
The Wedding Banquet is a poignant and funny exploration of identity, family, and love. It highlights the cultural differences and expectations that can sometimes create conflict within families, and the ways in which people try to navigate those differences and find happiness. The film's characters are complex and well-developed, and the performances by the cast are excellent.
Overall, The Wedding Banquet is a wonderful film that deals with important and timely themes in a thoughtful and entertaining way. It is a testament to Ang Lee's skill as a filmmaker and a must-see for fans of romantic comedies and insightful dramas.
