Lucky Grandma
A chain-smoking newly widowed granny (Tsai Chin, Casino Royale) is at the centre of this heist comedy set in New York City's Chinatown.
"In the heart of Chinatown, New York, an ornery, chain-smoking, newly widowed 80-year-old grandma is eager to live life as an independent woman, despite the worry of her family. When a local fortune teller (Wai Ching Ho) predicts a most auspicious day in her future, Grandma decides to head to the casino and goes all in, only to land herself on the wrong side of luck-suddenly attracting the attention of some local gangsters. Desperate to protect herself, Grandma employs the services of a bodyguard (Corey Ha) from a rival gang and soon finds herself in the middle of a Chinatown gang war." (Tribeca Film Festival)
- Director:
- Sasie Sealy
- Writer:
- Angela ChengSasie Sealy
- Cast:
- Tsai ChinMichael TowEmma HongYan Xi
Reviews & comments
Stuff
pressAllegedly inspired by the works of Bong Joon-Ho (Parasite, The Host), Sealy’s film might not quite reach the heights of the South Korean Oscar-winner, but it sure is an entertaining first effort.
Variety
pressAlthough the entire film runs just 87 minutes, as Lucky Grandma unspools, Wong’s predicament starts to feel increasingly outlandish, making it difficult for Sealy to sustain the offbeat humor and strong momentum of the opening stretch.
Screen Daily
pressThis gentle comedy trades heavily on Tsai Chin’s deliciously abrasive central performance, but stumbles when it comes to the execution of the action sequences.
RogerEbert.com
pressWhat makes this film special, first and foremost, is the performance by Chin, who has lost none of the acerbic edge she sported as Waverly’s mother in “The Joy Luck Club.”
Hollywood Reporter
pressThe director and her cinematographer Eduardo Enrique Mayén never stray far from their leading lady’s face, and the Tianjin-born Chin delivers a performance of impressive minimalism, one that feels true rather than ingratiating.
Film Threat
pressIf you’re a fan of comedy, Asian cinema or both, you will almost definitely love this movie. It’s a unique fast-paced film that’ll be sure to entertain even the most persnickety of audiences.
Vulture
pressActress and director build a symphony out of Grandma Wong’s grimaces and her glares. There are emotions in there, but she’s not about to let us get to them, and to her, that easily. And so, we are transfixed.
IndieWire
pressWhile the plot is not overly complex, Lucky Grandma benefits from a compelling array of supplementary characters.
Slash Film
pressThough the flavors of past genres are present in Lucky Grandma, all those ingredients add up to a truly unique, unforgettable dish that brings a familiar formula to a whole new level.
Stuff
pressAllegedly inspired by the works of Bong Joon-Ho (Parasite, The Host), Sealy’s film might not quite reach the heights of the South Korean Oscar-winner, but it sure is an entertaining first effort.
Variety
pressAlthough the entire film runs just 87 minutes, as Lucky Grandma unspools, Wong’s predicament starts to feel increasingly outlandish, making it difficult for Sealy to sustain the offbeat humor and strong momentum of the opening stretch.
Screen Daily
pressThis gentle comedy trades heavily on Tsai Chin’s deliciously abrasive central performance, but stumbles when it comes to the execution of the action sequences.
RogerEbert.com
pressWhat makes this film special, first and foremost, is the performance by Chin, who has lost none of the acerbic edge she sported as Waverly’s mother in “The Joy Luck Club.”
Hollywood Reporter
pressThe director and her cinematographer Eduardo Enrique Mayén never stray far from their leading lady’s face, and the Tianjin-born Chin delivers a performance of impressive minimalism, one that feels true rather than ingratiating.
Film Threat
pressIf you’re a fan of comedy, Asian cinema or both, you will almost definitely love this movie. It’s a unique fast-paced film that’ll be sure to entertain even the most persnickety of audiences.
Vulture
pressActress and director build a symphony out of Grandma Wong’s grimaces and her glares. There are emotions in there, but she’s not about to let us get to them, and to her, that easily. And so, we are transfixed.
IndieWire
pressWhile the plot is not overly complex, Lucky Grandma benefits from a compelling array of supplementary characters.
Slash Film
pressThough the flavors of past genres are present in Lucky Grandma, all those ingredients add up to a truly unique, unforgettable dish that brings a familiar formula to a whole new level.
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