Watch A Great Wall

A Great Wall from 1986 is a comedy-drama film that explores the cultural divide between Chinese and American cultures. The movie tells the story of a Chinese-American family that travels to China in the early 1980s to visit their relatives and experience the country's culture. The family is led by Leo Carmody, played by Peter Wang, who is a successful engineer and the head of the family. His wife, Cathy, played by Sharon Iwai, is a homemaker, and they have two kids, Fred and Andrea. Kelvin Han Yee plays the character of George, Leo's college friend who also decides to join the Carmody family on their trip to China.

As soon as the family reaches China, they realize that their American lifestyle is not compatible with the traditional Chinese culture. They are met with a language barrier, unusual food, and different customs that they must navigate. They struggle to adjust to the change, and at times, it seems like they may not be able to understand the Chinese way of life.

The patriarch of the family's Chinese relatives is Uncle Roger, a retired Peking Opera star. Uncle Roger is delighted to have the Carmody family in his home, and he immediately takes it upon himself to showcase Chinese customs and culture to his American relatives.

With Uncle Roger's help, the family visits The Great Wall of China and other popular tourist sites, which generates plenty of comedic moments as they try to acclimate to the cultural differences. The family members also engage in different activities, such as painting, calligraphy, and cooking, to learn more about Chinese customs.

However, while the Carmody family is in China, a massive rift develops between Leo and his Chinese-American college friend, George. George begins to feel like an outsider in this new environment, and instead of trying to understand the customs and culture of his own heritage, he resorts to making crude jokes and mocking Chinese traditions. This puts a strain on Leo and George's friendship, and it is up to Uncle Roger to help bridge the divide between the two friends.

A Great Wall has a strong emphasis on bridging the cultural gap between the East and the West. It explores how difficult it is for people from different cultures to connect and how language, customs, and traditions can be an obstacle in this process. The film captures the American experience of facing Chinese culture and tradition, and how the Carmody family grows and learns throughout the trip.

Throughout the movie, there are plenty of thoughtful moments that make the audience laugh, as well as some touching scenes that showcase the heart of the characters. The film's director, Peter Wang, draws on his own experiences as a Chinese-American to make this movie authentic and relatable.

A Great Wall is a charming and heartwarming movie that reminds us that, despite our differences, we all share common threads of humanity that can help us connect with each other. It is an excellent movie for people of all ages that showcases the universal feelings of family, friendship, and the importance of cultural awareness.

In conclusion, A Great Wall from 1986 is an insightful and entertaining movie that explores cultural identity, family relationships, and the power of human connections. It is a cinematic masterpiece that has withstood the test of time and is a must-watch for anyone interested in exploring the Chinese-American experience.

A Great Wall is a 1986 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.