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The Farewell

"Based on an actual lie."

2019-07-12 Comedy 1hr 40m

A headstrong Chinese-American woman returns to China when her beloved grandmother is given a terminal diagnosis. Billi struggles with her family's decision to keep grandma in the dark about her own illness as they all stage an impromptu wedding to see grandma one last time.

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Storyline

A headstrong Chinese-American woman returns to China when her beloved grandmother is given a terminal diagnosis. Billi struggles with her family's decision to keep grandma in the dark about her own illness as they all stage an impromptu wedding to see grandma one last time.

  • Released
    2019-07-12
  • Revenue
    $23,076,657
  • Budget
    $250,300
  • Runtime
    1hr 40m
  • Genre
    Comedy, Drama
  • Status
    Released
  • Language
    English, 普通话, 日本語
  • imdb-logo
    7.5
  • Production
    Big Beach, Depth of Field, Kindred Spirit, Seesaw Productions

Crew

Lulu Wang
Director
Lulu Wang
Writer
Lulu Wang
Producer

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Cast

Hong Lu

Hong Lu

Little Nai Nai
Hong Lin

Hong Lin

Doctor Wu
Tzi Ma

Tzi Ma

Haiyan
Diana Lin

Diana Lin

Lu Jian
Jiang Yongbo

Jiang Yongbo

Uncle Haibin
Han Chen

Han Chen

Hao Hao
Li Xiang

Li Xiang

Aunty Ling
Hongli Liu

Hongli Liu

Aunty Gao
Xi Lin

Xi Lin

Wedding Coordinator
Shi Lichen

Shi Lichen

Big Chef
Lin Wang

Lin Wang

Reception at Massage Parlor
Yue Xin

Yue Xin

Masseuse #1
Xiaoxiao Sun

Xiaoxiao Sun

Masseuse #2
Dong Li

Dong Li

Gu Fu
Puxia Qin

Puxia Qin

Little Gu Gu
Ruiqi Wang

Ruiqi Wang

Little Gu Fu
Jim Liu

Jim Liu

Doctor Song
Yuqiu Geng

Yuqiu Geng

Funeral Cryer
Shouchang Xiao

Shouchang Xiao

General Ma
Yonghua Zhao

Yonghua Zhao

General Fu
Zuohai Jiang

Zuohai Jiang

General Zhu
Xinyang Lv

Xinyang Lv

Teenage Girl #1
Jing Chen

Jing Chen

Teenage Girl #2
Weifeng Sun

Weifeng Sun

Copy Center Boss
Diane Dehn

Diane Dehn

Birthday Singer (uncredited)
Ines Laimins

Ines Laimins

Kathy (uncredited)
Johnny Michaels

Johnny Michaels

Party Goer (uncredited)
Gil Perez-Abraham

Gil Perez-Abraham

Tony (uncredited)

Videos and Photos

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The Farewell
The Farewell
The Farewell

Movie Reviews

Reviews for The Farewell
reviewer avatar

A Review by dalboz 8

Written by dalboz on 2019-11-13

When a Chinese family finds out that the family’s matriarch is dying of lung cancer, complications arise. In Chinese culture, there is a say... read more

When a Chinese family finds out that the family’s matriarch is dying of lung cancer, complications arise. In Chinese culture, there is a saying that when you get cancer, you die. This actually boils down to the belief that it’s not the cancer that leads to the person’s death, but rather the fear of dying. As such, the family orchestrates an elaborate ruse to get everyone together for a wedding, but in reality the gathering is for everyone to be able to say goodbye to the grandmother without actually letting her know the truth. It’s a fascinating premise and based on a true story (or based on an actual lie, as the film puts it). Showing aspects of Chinese culture we rarely get to see, the film takes us on a journey to China as we see modern life and urban development. How accurate it really is, I can’t attest to, and there are times that it feels like there should be more or that something is more complex and we’re being given the fortune cookie version, so to speak. The film does steer clear of politics, so that is not a factor here. This is a beautiful film not just through visual aesthetics but also on a character level. We see how each character faces the impending death of the grandmother differently, such as the daughter-in-law being very matter of fact about it while her husband (the grandmother’s son) is being torn up inside, all while the wise and experienced grandmother continues to dispense advice, oblivious to her diagnosis. It details the variety of relationships we can develop in our life as no two relationships are the same, but they all still love each other despite some distance between certain relatives. There’s something that, despite the comedic premise (it’s sort of a comedy that’s not particularly funny), is very grounded and very real. I couldn’t help but see some of my own relationships reflected on the screen. Beautiful, heartbreaking, and at the same time somewhat hopeful, “The Farewell” comes highly recommended.

reviewer avatar

A Review by msbreviews 8

Written by msbreviews on 2020-02-05

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com Lulu Wang shares an emotional part of h... read more

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com Lulu Wang shares an emotional part of her personal life by delivering a beautiful, heartfelt story about her grandmother. Even though The Farewell sticks the landing perfectly, not all of the second act’s storylines captivated me, especially the whole wedding narrative. However, Awkwafina offers a fantastic performance, as well as the rest of the cast. Alex Weston’s score elevates a lot of moments, and the drama-comedy balance is on-point. Rating: B+

reviewer avatar

A Review by narrator56 8

Written by narrator56 on 2021-05-12

This movie is described as a comedy-drama and it is. But I didn’t have many laugh out loud moments. The humor is situational mainly: the wri... read more

This movie is described as a comedy-drama and it is. But I didn’t have many laugh out loud moments. The humor is situational mainly: the writers work up to those moments that make you smile, either because you remember a similar moment in your life, or else because you can’t imagine a similar moment. As happens so often, the story is based on real events. I saw where one review title said it is heartbreaking, but I didn’t see that at all. The movie is fairly uplifting in that it shows the strengths of a family that values all of its members, particularly the very old, whose wisdom and experience aren’t as well received in many American families. When I think about it, nothing definitive seems to happen in the film: no crisis, no climax of action, but this lack of great drama didn’t detract from enjoying the movie. It is all about the journey, not the destination. Enjoy the trip.

Read Full Review (The thoughts and opinions expressed here are solely those of the reviewer.)
A Review by Sheldon Nylander

When a Chinese family finds out that the family’s matriarch is dying of lung cancer, complications arise. In Chinese culture, there is a saying that when you get cancer, you die. This actually boils down to the belief that it’s not the canc...

reviewer avatar

A Review by dalboz 8

Written by dalboz on 2019-11-13

When a Chinese family finds out that the family’s matriarch is dying of lung cancer, complications arise. In Chinese culture, there is a saying that when you get cancer, you die. This actually boils d...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by msbreviews 8

Written by msbreviews on 2020-02-05

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com Lulu Wang shares an emotional part of her personal life by delivering a beautiful, heartfelt story ...

read more
reviewer avatar

A Review by narrator56 8

Written by narrator56 on 2021-05-12

This movie is described as a comedy-drama and it is. But I didn’t have many laugh out loud moments. The humor is situational mainly: the writers work up to those moments that make you smile, either be...

read more