The Farewell is a story about family, tradition, change, and culture. It centers around one family’s decision to keep a family member’s terminal illness secret from her.
When a much-loved family matriarch falls ill, her family rushes to China to be with her. She has been given a short time to live, although she does not know it. One family member, Billi, does not agree with this decision and does not understand it. Even so, she goes to China to see her dying grandmother. But can Billi keep the secret?
The Farewell is a glimpse into Chinese culture and much of the movie is in Chinese with subtitles. Despite its focus on a specific culture, The Farewell is a movie that most families will easily relate to. Family drama, traditions, geographical divides, love, loyalty, and regret are subjects families all over the world have dealt with. The movie is part drama, part comedy and completely delightful.
The story hit home with me because when I was a teenager, my family opted not to tell my grandmother her cancer was terminal. She ended up discovering that truth after opening a letter from the doctor that was sent to her home instead of my grandfather’s office. I was not part of that plan, and I do not believe I was even told she was terminal. I believed until the day she died that she could and would get better. I wish I would have known and truly believed she was going to die. I think about all the stories she never told me, the memories and words she never got to share with us. This movie left me in tears, which is unusual for me, but I would see it again. The Farewell is completely endearing and you should go see it.
Do not wait until your loved ones are ill or gone to think about what they mean to you. Do not wait for your farewell.
Rating: PG for thematic material, brief language and some smoking.
Running Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes
About Janice
