Saving Face 2005

Wilhelmina “Wil” Pang is a highly successful young American surgeon practicing in New York City, but she hides a core part of who she is from her mother, Hwei-Lan Pang. The tension between Wil’s private life and her family’s expectations sets the stage for a story about love, truth, and the weight of tradition. When Hwei-Lan drags Wil to a family gathering at Planet China to meet potential matches, Wil finds herself unexpectedly drawn to Vivian, the daughter of one of the other mothers. Vivian is recently divorced and unafraid to pursue her own path, which immediately challenges Wil to consider a future that might not fit the conventional script her mother envisions.

Their paths cross again at the hospital, where Vivian’s father, Dr. Shing, is Wil’s boss, adding a complicated layer to their relationship. Vivian is intensely focused on dance—specifically modern dance—rather than the more traditional ballet, and this clash between their aspirations creates a palpable friction within the family dynamic, especially as Vivian and her father share a strained relationship over those choices. The situation takes a dramatic turn when Wil returns home to discover that Hwei-Lan has been expelled from the family ground by Wil’s grandfather for becoming pregnant out of wedlock, a decision that brings immense shame to the Pang family. Wil’s request for the identity of the father is met with silence, and from that moment on, Hwei-Lan makes her home with Wil, signaling a shift in the power and closeness of their relationship.

As Vivian invites Wil to witness one of her dance performances, the two women grow closer, sharing moments of quiet vulnerability and a kiss that marks a turning point in Wil’s life. They begin to date, but Wil remains cautious about public displays of affection, a reluctance rooted in fear and the fear of judgment. When Vivian meets Wil’s mother at a tense dinner, an awkward scene unfolds—three generations, two women navigating love and desire, and one mother who appears to know more than she lets on, yet stays in denial about the truth of her daughter’s sexuality. The family’s attempts at normalcy are further complicated by Hwei-Lan’s decision to pursue dating in search of a man who could be a father to her unborn child, even as she contemplates the long-standing affection offered by Cho, a man who has supported her for fifteen years.

The plot thickens as Vivian reveals she has been accepted into a prestigious ballet program in Paris and contemplates the opportunity. Wil’s congratulations are genuine, and she urges Vivian to take the chance, but Vivian’s father presses Wil to persuade her to accept the offer. In a tense moment, Wil steps back, and Vivian ultimately accepts the Paris invitation, signaling that Wil’s life may be moving in a new direction as well. The story takes a poignant turn with the death of Wil’s grandmother, after which Hwei-Lan agrees to marry Cho. The wedding scene becomes a crucible for truth when Wil interrupts with a note from the father of her child—an unexpected declaration of love that reveals a shared reality Wil has kept hidden. Wil then points to Old Yu, the elderly pharmacist she loves, asserting a different future, a moment that triggers a dramatic confrontation with Old Yu and his son, Little Yu.

Amid the emotional upheaval, Wil and her mother rush to the airport in a bid to catch Vivian before she leaves for Paris. A kiss in the terminal becomes a symbol of a new beginning, but not until Vivian challenges Wil to prove her sincerity with a public kiss does Wil finally allow her love to break free. The airport scene leaves Wil torn between fear and desire, but it also plants the seeds for a possibility of reunion. Three months later, at another Planet China party, Wil sees Vivian again, now engaged to be married, and the two share a dance that signals a hopeful future together. The moment is softened by the smiles of Hwei-Lan and Vivian’s mother, who give each other a thumbs-up, acknowledging the courage it took for Wil and Vivian to choose love despite the opinions of others.

The film closes with a near-ordinary, intimate note: during a post-credits gathering at Hwei-Lan’s apartment, Wil and Vivian—now a couple—discuss plans for a family, while friends and loved ones look on. It’s a scene that captures the film’s core message: love can endure through cultural expectations and generational divides, and the courage to live openly has the power to reshape families. The final moment lingers on Wil’s reaction to the idea of having babies, a playful spit-take underscores the film’s blend of humor and tenderness, leaving viewers with a sense of renewal and possibility for the future.

• Wil’s arc is anchored in a personal evolution from concealment to candor, a transformation that unfolds within the intimate spaces of family meals, hospital corridors, and dance stages.

• The relationship between Wil and Vivian is depicted with care, balancing tenderness, fear, and the joy of honest connection, while also examining the complexities of parental expectations and cultural pride.

• Supporting characters—Hwei-Lan Pang, Cho, Dr. Shing, Old Yu, and Little Yu—play pivotal roles in shaping Wil’s choices, even when their appearances are brief, illustrating how family, history, and community influence individual paths.

Note: This summary uses first-mention links to the following cast members: [Michelle Krusiec], [Lynn Chen], [Joan Chen], [Ato Essandoh], [David Shih], [Jin Wang], and [Nathanel Geng], with names linked to the site’s actor pages as appropriate. If you’d like additional moments highlighted or prefer a different emphasis, I can tailor the tone or length further.