A Great Wall

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A Great Wall

PG

1986

1h 40m

Comedy

Drama

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Popcornmeter

60%

Tomatometer

10 Reviews

53%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Chinese-American Leo Fang (Peter Wang) has not been to China in 30 years. After he loses out on a promotion because of his Chinese heritage, he quits his job as a computer programmer and brings his family to China to meet his relatives. But Leo does not anticipate the ensuing culture clash between Western and Eastern customs. After many misunderstandings and uncomfortable moments, the families are forced to accept their differences and try to appreciate their opposite lifestyles.

Jay Carr

Boston Globe

A wise, gentle, compassionate comedy of cultural collision.

Jul 30, 2024

Full Review

Walter Goodman

New York Times

What's lacking is a story to keep up the interest between incidents.

Dec 20, 2017

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Glosses over too many important issues for the film to be considered a true artistic success.

Feb 23, 2012

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

It's noted as the first American production to be shot in Red China.

Rated: B-

Apr 22, 2014

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jun 13, 2005

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Daniel M. Kimmel

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Rated: 4/5

May 14, 2004

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jon c

Sometimes in life we put up a 'great wall' between our true origins, our strict family traditions and customs as well as our feelings Director Peter Wang stars in a story about two identities of the same home coming together A computer conglomerate is looking to promote their next big leader Leo wants to be executive director but the opportunity is passed over to someone else He then decides he's had enough and goes home to China to see the rest of his family But to them he's almost a complete stranger Leo has a lot to catch up on given he missed so much time away from his native land Should nobody deny their own cultural background? Do we bother learning our native language when we've been so used to another over time? Can we blend back into where we were brought up? Maybe we use the tradition and culture to cover up the racism but don't know it The movie embraces it's multiculturalism and also looks at observations of the different attitudes of others living in the United States and China Sure there's gonna be some cultural clashes amongst everyone but Leo and his family learn to pick up a few things they didn't anticipate Both can still learn from each other no matter the distance or time The scenery of Pei King is phenomenal showing all its beauty and historical significance to its people The film is also in a way a great reminder for us to go back to our ancestral beginnings and embrace it rather than shrug it off

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Cute movie about cultural differences.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

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Audience Member

doesn't really apply anymore, but i can remember a time when it did. the chinese-american son cracks me up, with the poster of joe montana with his face superimposed (taped) on top.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/23

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Audience Member

Somewhat oversimplified but still astute cross-cultural study exudes warmth, good humour and good grace.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Audience Member

(***): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] A touching film about cross cultures and family. Good acting and a good heart to it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Peter Wang

Director

Peter Wang

Leo Fang

Sharon Iwai

Grace Fang

Kelvin Han Yee

Paul Fang

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Synopsis

Chinese-American Leo Fang (Peter Wang) has not been to China in 30 years. After he loses out on a promotion because of his Chinese heritage, he quits his job as a computer programmer and brings his family to China to meet his relatives. But Leo does not anticipate the ensuing culture clash between Western and Eastern customs. After many misunderstandings and uncomfortable moments, the families are forced to accept their differences and try to appreciate their opposite lifestyles.

Director: Peter Wang
Production Co: Orion Productions
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 29, 2017
Runtime: 1h 40m

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