Pushing Hands (1991) 1995

The tale unfolds with the Chinese tai chi master, Chu, embarking on a journey to the United States to be with his son, Alex, and his family. The challenge of communication looms large as Chu struggles with English, while his American daughter-in-law, Martha, does not speak Mandarin—a barrier that often leads to misunderstandings. They navigate their way through this linguistic maze with the help of Alex, their bilingual bridge. However, Martha finds Chu’s presence to be an unwelcome disruption as it hinders her progress on her second novel.

Every Sunday, Chu passionately teaches tai chi at a local Chinese cultural center, where he encounters Mrs. Chen, another determined immigrant hailing from Beijing, who shares her culinary skills with eager students.

As the story deepens, we witness the escalating conflict between Chu and Martha, alongside Alex’s internal battle between his duties as a son and the demands of everyday life. Tensions reach a peak one evening when, against Martha’s wishes, Chu decides to take a solitary walk, igniting a family crisis. In the wake of this incident, Chu makes the bold choice to move out, seeking to live independently.

He secures a job as a dishwasher in a modest Chinatown restaurant, only to endure discrimination at the hands of the owner. However, in a gripping display of determination and skill, Chu draws upon his tai chi abilities to stand his ground during a confrontation, earning newfound respect within the community.

As the narrative approaches its conclusion, Alex begins to reassess his perceptions of his father and seeks to mend their fractured relationship. Even though Chu is adamant about his desire for solitude, Alex voices his feelings of love and encourages his father to visit often and engage with his grandson. In the end, Chu and Mrs. Chen continue their individual quests for freedom and independence in the vibrant tapestry of Chinatown.