Eat a Bowl of Tea

PG-13

1989

1h 44m

Romance

Comedy

Drama

List

Reviews

49%

Audience Score

1,000+ Ratings

Just prior to the end of World War II, a law responsible for halting Chinese immigration to the United States is lifted. Ben Loy, a Chinese-American who has just returned from his tour of duty with the U.S. Army, is encouraged by his relatives to make the most of this situation by visiting China and returning to the United States with a new bride. He eventually finds a spouse, Mei Oi (Cora Miao), but she has problems adjusting to American life, while Ben contends with his overbearing family.

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Candace Wiggins

Southern Voice (Atlanta)

A wonderful new film by Wayne Wang.

Rated: 4/4

May 8, 2023

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Though not as witty as Chan Is Missing and not as touching as Dim Sum, Wayne Wang's Eat Bowl of Tea relates a little known story of the Chinese-American community, putting on screen characters seldom seen in mainstream American movies.

Rated: B

Jul 17, 2009

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Pleasant but unexciting ethnic comedy/romance set in NYC's Chinatown in 1949.

Rated: B-

Dec 28, 2008

Full Review

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality & Practice

Eat a Bowl of Tea explores the pressures put on two newlyweds in Chinatown to meet the expectations of their community.

Jun 24, 2003

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robert p

Contrary to other comments, 1. I found the acting quite good, 2 The Story line was good, 3. This really happened in history, 4. I thought they made a very cute couple! Thus my *4* star rating!!!!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

the movie was weak like starbucks coffee, and laden with cliches. saving grace was the strong hong kong ensemble cast plus a young russell wong beautifying the screen. the cora miao character was whorish and irritating as hell.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Audience Member

Russel Wong gave me goosebumps while watching this movie

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

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Audience Member

A bit slow, but was interesting to see a story from the eyes of Asian Americans in the 1940's, my parents' generation. Worth watching, but had expected more from this Wayne Wang movie.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

In general I wouldn't have called this a comedy. A simple story (and essentially an American one, despite the Chinese theme) with a rough middle and a happy end.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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Audience Member

seen this movie the other night on tv it wasn't that bad

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Wayne Wang

Director

Cora Miao

Mei Oi

Russell Wong

Ben Loy

Victor Wong

Wah Gay

Sau-Kei Lee

Bok Fat

Eric Tsiang Chi Wai

Ah Song

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Synopsis

Just prior to the end of World War II, a law responsible for halting Chinese immigration to the United States is lifted. Ben Loy, a Chinese-American who has just returned from his tour of duty with the U.S. Army, is encouraged by his relatives to make the most of this situation by visiting China and returning to the United States with a new bride. He eventually finds a spouse, Mei Oi (Cora Miao), but she has problems adjusting to American life, while Ben contends with his overbearing family.

Director: Wayne Wang
Production Co: American Playhouse
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 1, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $95.2K
Runtime: 1h 44m
Sound Mix: Stereo

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