YNOT at the Movies

It has been 32 years since Ang Lee made his groundbreaking classic "The Wedding Banquet," which wove cultural expectation, sexuality, and family into a quietly revolutionary rom-com. Much has changed since the original film—made before the legalization of same-sex marriage—and it is now reimagined at a moment when LGBTQIA+ rights in the U.S. are under increasing threat. Writer-director Andrew Ahn's "The Wedding Banquet" (USA, 2025 | 102 min.) is a rare retelling of the original story that honors its source material while speaking directly to the complexities of modern identity. Ahn's version embraces the same themes with new textures, a broader sense of inclusivity, and a tone that is both sharper and more heartfelt.

The story follows Min (Han Gi-chan), a gay Korean artist living in Seattle, who's juggling immigration hurdles and a deeply committed relationship with his boyfriend, Chris (Bowen Yang). When Min learns that his visa is at risk, he agrees to a marriage of convenience with his friend Angela (Kelly Marie Tran), who is trying to raise funds for IVF treatment with her partner, Lee (Lily Gladstone). It's a calculated plan—until Min's traditional grandmother, Ja-Young (Youn Yuh-jung), arrives from Korea and insists on throwing a full-scale wedding banquet. What follows is a steadily escalating tangle of half-truths, awkward performances, and emotional landmines, all simmering beneath the surface of a seemingly joyous celebration.

What's immediately striking about Andrew Ahn's approach is how much heart he brings to every frame without dipping into sentimentality. The film finds its rhythm in the quiet intimacy between characters, but it's not afraid of broad comedy either. The banquet scenes are genuinely funny, with sharp dialogue and clever visual gags, but they're also laced with tension. You can feel the weight of unspoken disappointment and cultural obligation even in the loudest, most celebratory moments.

Han Gi-chan is a revelation as Min. He plays the role with a mix of hesitation and quiet resilience, capturing the internal conflict of someone constantly shifting between love, duty, and survival. Kelly Marie Tran is equally compelling as Angela, bringing her character grounded charm and understated strength. Her scenes—whether light or vulnerable—have a natural ease that anchors the story. Lily Gladstone, as her partner, makes the most of a quieter role, offering stillness and sincerity that feel earned. Joan Chen, as Angela's overly supportive mother, adds comedic flair and heartwarming moments to the film. Bowen Yang, as Chris, delivers something beyond his usual comedic brilliance. His portrayal of a partner asked to shrink himself for someone else's safety is both quietly angry and achingly tender.

The film is as much about a chosen family as it is about blood. While it acknowledges the pain that can stem from parental expectation or generational misunderstanding, it never veers into insensibility. The scene-stealing grandmother, played with sharp wit and quiet sorrow by the incomparable, Academy Award-winning Youn Yuh-jung, brings a subtle yet profound commentary on legacy, lineage, and what it means to love someone—even when you don't fully understand them.

There's something refreshing about a romantic comedy that allows for messiness, contradiction, and evolving identity without trying to resolve everything neatly. Ahn's "The Wedding Banquet" isn't trying to tidy up life—it's simply reflecting it. And in doing so, it crafts a film that feels both comfortingly familiar and wholly new. It's romantic without being saccharine, funny without being flippant, and sincere without losing hope. A beautiful, modern retelling that stands tall on its own merit.

"The Wedding Banquet" opens in theaters on Friday, April 18, 2025.