Van B. Nguyen’s Thanksgiving focuses on Ma (Elyse Dinh) while she prepares and hosts a holiday meal. And it is a beautiful, observant little film, about fitting in and acceptance. It’s just her and Ba (Joseph Hieu) living together now, but their son Tuan (Devin Hong) is expected to join them for a big gathering, and Ma is clearly missing him.
This traditional couple are apparently embracing American customs – turkey, Facebook, etc. – though still talk Vietnamese most of the time, even amongst the younger family members. The blend of cultures and lifestyles is such that the line between modern and traditional is utterly blurred within Thanksgiving… but although the cultural aspect to the story is prominent, it is really a backdrop to another theme: Ma’s love for her son.
We see their natural conversation when Tuan rings to confirm he’s coming to the meal, and we see how he talks her down from a shock when he turns up with someone she wouldn’t have expected. It’s fascinating to hear Ma and Ba say they simply want Tuan to be happy, like they are. They are very clearly devoted to each other, despite spending their daytime hours in different rooms, watching TV in their own different ways. But they are certainly happy.
In return, Tuan clearly has great admiration for his parents and wants their acceptance for him and his partner. and it is moving to see that their acceptance is a model for the rest of the family too.
The cinematography is intimate throughout, with close-up shots of faces and food alike, though nothing over sentimental. I especially loved the overhead view of the turkey being taken out of the oven and felt I was almost there in that kitchen. This is no soap opera. It is a subtle, character-based domestic drama, about an important moment within a Vietnamese American family.
And in this family, the mother is truly central. Not simply as cook and host, but in steering behaviours, nudging relationships in the right directions and indicating with a single sentence whether the party is to stop or continue. Any mother’s role is a complex one.
I’m a mother myself, and appreciate my own Mum’s relationship with me more as every year passes. I’ve also come out to my Mum, and have to wonder whether the resolution in Thanksgiving is so simplistic as to be patronising, if not a little preachy. But that was only looking back on the film afterwards. While watching, it felt honest and sincere, probably due to a blend of both the writing and quality acting.
Van B. Nguyen has had wide assistant director and production assistant experience, now moving into writing thriller pilots. I’ll be fascinated to look out for them, if they have any of the nuance that this little gem has.
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