Tigertail 2020

As the story unfolds, we delve into the life of Pin-Jui as he reflects on his journey, moving between heartfelt flashbacks and present-day challenges. The narrative is enriched by his poignant voiceover that illuminates his early memories, marked deeply by loneliness and vivid imaginations of his parents. Young Pin-Jui, portrayed by Tzi Ma, conjured comforting visions of his family while adhering to his grandmother’s stern dictum to “be strong” and hide his true feelings.

In his rural upbringing, a fortuitous meeting with Yuan (played by Joan Chen) breathed joy into his life, giving rise to an unbreakable bond fueled by their laughter and shared playfulness, providing respite from the harsh realities surrounding them. Yet, societal class distinctions posed an ever-present threat to their precious connection.

As time marched on, Pin-Jui’s longing for Yuan intensified—despite knowing their love was fraught with challenges. He relished each fleeting moment spent together, marked by joy, as they savored an enchanted dinner at a fancy restaurant where their carefree laughter echoed, free from the burdens of their worlds.

However, adulthood proved to be a delicate dance between devotion to Yuan and the responsibilities rearing up before him. Balancing his job at the factory, where he worked alongside his mother Minghua (played by Kuei-Mei Yang), and the unwelcome attention from his boss’s daughter, Zhenzhen (portrayed by Fiona Fu), thrust him into an emotional quagmire, pulling him away from the warmth of his affections.

As the tale continues, Pin-Jui navigates the complexities of his relationships, feeling increasingly torn between longing and obligation. The quiet moments with Minghua inside their modest apartment become a sanctuary from the storm of emotions enveloping him. When an injury sidelines Minghua, Pin-Jui’s passionate plea for her to escape an unfulfilling job becomes a turning point. His aspirations lead him to strike a Faustian deal with Li, aiming for a brighter future in America—a notion that teeters on the edge of hope and desperation.

Upon their arrival in the United States, the couple grapples with the stark reality of their new lives. Pin-Jui finds himself engulfed in menial tasks at the grocery store, while Zhenzhen battles loneliness, exacerbated by the cultural distance that looms over their lives as Taiwanese immigrants.

In a bid to build bridges, Pin-Jui invites Minghua to join them across the sea, yet she declines the offer, intimidated by the language barrier and the daunting nature of starting anew. As Zhenzhen seeks connection, she too feels the weight of their disconnection, her husband’s disinterest in embracing their new surroundings fueling her growing isolation.

As the years slip by, Pin-Jui and Zhenzhen create a life together, bringing children into their world, among them their daughter Angela (played by Margot Bingham). Yet, stagnation creeps into their marriage; Pin-Jui’s emotional detachment and Zhenzhen’s quiet discontent loom large, reducing her to the role of a mere housekeeper in her own life.

When Zhenzhen finally breaks free from her restraint, announcing her desire to divorce, Pin-Jui’s shock highlights the reality of their crumbling union. As Angela prepares for her engagement to Eric (played by Hayden Szeto), the tension between her and Eric rises as they grapple with their differing perceptions of love and material stability.

In a moment of vulnerability, Angela confides her feelings about Eric during a heartfelt encounter with Pin-Jui, only to meet his unsettling silence that echoes throughout. Recognizing a lack of emotional connection, she contemplates her efforts to bridge the distance with him.

Pin-Jui’s own exploration of emotions leads him to reach out to Yuan via Facebook, igniting a spark of connection that blossoms into an in-person reunion. Their shared dinner serves as a platform for reflection, and Yuan’s sage insights regarding his emotional barriers set him on a path of introspection.

During Chinese New Year, Angela’s celebration highlights the joyful embrace of family traditions. Yet, her struggles without Eric’s presence weigh heavily. In a significant moment, Pin-Jui takes Angela on a journey to Taiwan, unearthing fragments of his past and revealing the extensive tapestry of his experiences infused with love, sorrow, and fortitude.

In a poignant moment at the bar where memories linger of time spent with Yuan, Angela’s questions unveil the depth of Pin-Jui’s unresolved feelings. Tears fill his eyes as she comforts him, reminding him that even amid sorrow, understanding and closure can be found.