Movielogr

Rating: 7.5 stars

Tags

Criterion san francisco chinese american mother daughter relationship marriage aging responsibility

All movies seen on 07/24/2025

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Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart (1985)

Directed by Wayne Wang

Comedy | Drama

Most recently watched by sleestakk

Overview

San Francisco’s Richmond District. A widow welcomes the Chinese New Year. 62 years old, she wants to make a trip to China to pay last respects to her ancestors. A fortune teller has told her this is the year she’ll die, and a daughter, Geraldine, remains unmarried. Geraldine’s boyfriend lives in Los Angeles and she’s not sure she’s ready for marriage, nor does she want to leave her mother alone in her declining years. Mrs. Tan’s cheerful brother-in-law, Uncle Tam, tries to help out.

Rated PG | Length 87 minutes

Actors

Laureen Chew | Kim Chew | Victor Wong | Ida F.O. Chung | Cora Miao | John Nishio | Amy Hill | Keith Choy | Joan Chen | Mary Chew | Nora Lee | Rita Yee | George Woo | Elsa Cruz Pearson | Helen Chew | Jarrett Chew

Viewing History (seen 1 time)

Viewing Notes

Wayne Wang said he was influenced by Ozu’s films and you can see some of that here. It’s a quiet, gentle film focusing on a mother-daughter relationship and a much-too-rare look at an Asian-American community. This hits home to me, having grown up in the SF Bay Area and knowing families like this.

The drama is not high stakes, but it’s something almost everyone can relate to: the daughter feeling a responsibility to her aging mother while at the same time knowing she needs to get on with her own life.

The acting is a bit amateurish, except for Victor Wong, who’s always wonderful to watch.

“A little bit of heart” is a perfect title for the film. If you’re in the right frame of mind, it’s a beautiful, touching little picture. I think Ozu would have liked it.

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