Watch The Jade Pendant

The Jade Pendant is a 2017 historical romance drama set in 1871 Los Angeles. Directed by Po-Chih Leong, the movie follows the journey of a young Chinese woman named Lai (played by Clara Lee) who travels to the American West to marry a wealthy Chinese man. Along the way, she meets Patrick (played by Godfrey Gao), a half-Chinese, half-American man who works as a cook on a wagon train.

The movie explores the themes of love, loyalty, and identity while addressing the complicated history of Chinese immigrants in America during the 19th century. Tzi Ma plays a pivotal role as the head of Lai's family, who is tasked with finding a suitable groom for his daughter.

The opening scenes of the movie show Lai in China, where she is forced into an arranged marriage to a wealthy Chinese man whom she has never met. However, the ship carrying Lai and her betrothed is attacked by bandits, and Lai is the only survivor. After being rescued by a group of Chinese miners, Lai decides to travel to Los Angeles in search of her fiancé's family.

Meanwhile, Patrick is struggling to find his place in society as a person of mixed race. He is bullied and discriminated against by both white and Chinese people, who see him as an outsider.

When Lai arrives in Los Angeles, she is met with hostility from the Chinese community, who view her as damaged goods for not being married to her fiancé. Patrick takes pity on her and offers to help her find her fiancé's family in exchange for her help in his restaurant. As Lai and Patrick spend more time together, they begin to develop feelings for each other, despite the cultural barriers that stand in their way.

The movie also touches on the historical events of the time, including the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which was enacted to prohibit Chinese immigration to the United States. This law led to further discrimination and violence against Chinese immigrants, and The Jade Pendant highlights the struggles of the Chinese community during this period.

Overall, The Jade Pendant is a poignant and gripping movie that offers a window into the lives of Chinese immigrants during the American West. The performances by Godfrey Gao, Clara Lee, and Tzi Ma are outstanding, and the gorgeous cinematography serves to heighten the emotional impact of the story. With its blend of history and romance, The Jade Pendant is a must-watch for anyone interested in the cultural melting pot that is America.

The Jade Pendant is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 47 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.