Chan Is Missing
Chan Is Missing

Movie spotlight

Chan Is Missing

1982
Movie
76 min
English

Two cabbies search San Francisco's Chinatown for a mysterious character who has disappeared with their $4000. Their quest leads them on a humorous, if mundane, journey which illuminates the many problems experienced by Chinese-Americans trying to assimilate into contemporary American society.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Rotten Tomatoes94%
Director: Wayne WangGenres: Comedy, Mystery

Plot Summary

A low-budget, independent film that follows Jo, a taxi driver in San Francisco's Chinatown, who is tasked with finding his missing uncle, a man who has vanished with a significant amount of money. As Jo and his sidekick Steve delve deeper into the mystery, they encounter a quirky cast of characters and navigate the complexities of cultural identity and community.

Critical Reception

Chan Is Missing was widely praised for its innovative storytelling, authentic portrayal of Chinese-American life, and blend of humor and suspense. It is considered a landmark film in Asian-American cinema, earning critical acclaim for its fresh perspective and engaging narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic depiction of Chinatown and its characters.

  • Applauded for its witty dialogue and subtle humor.

  • Recognized as a significant work in independent and Asian-American filmmaking.

Google audience: Google user reviews are not readily available for this film, but critical reception highlights its unique cultural insights and engaging plot.

Fun Fact

Wayne Wang shot 'Chan Is Missing' on weekends over a period of 14 months, using a non-professional cast and crew, largely drawn from the local Chinatown community.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review