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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Awkwafina
Billi
Zhao Shuzhen
Nai Nai
Hong Lu
Little Nai Nai
Hong Lin
Doctor Wu
Tzi Ma
Haiyan
Diana Lin Xiaojie
Lu Jian
Yang Xuejian
Mr. Li
Becca Khalil
Shirley
Jiang Yongbo
Uncle Haibin
Chen Han
Hao Hao
Director
Lulu Wang
Tagline
"Based on an actual lie."
Status
Released
Original Language
EN
Budget
$3,000,000
Revenue
$23,076,657
Production
Big Beach, Depth of Field, Kindred Spirit, Seesaw Productions
Sheldon Nylander
November 13, 2019
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, bu...
Manuel São Bento
February 5, 2020
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 ...
Peter McGinn
May 12, 2021
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...
badelf
February 1, 2026
The Farewell (2019) Directed by Lulu Wang Lulu Wang's The Farewell begins with a title card: "Based on an actual lie." The lie in question is both simple and profound: when Nai Nai (Zhao Shuzhen) is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, her family decides not to tell her. Instead, they stage a wedding as an excuse to gather from around the world to say goodbye without her knowing it's goodbye...
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