What Is An Autumn’s Tale About?
The premise of An Autumn’s Tale in 290 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the bustling heart of New York’s Chinatown, the neon‑lit streets pulse with a mix of tradition and modernity, creating a backdrop where old‑world rituals meet the relentless pace of the city. The neighborhood’s markets, cramped apartments, and low‑key eateries form a living tapestry that feels both intimate and sprawling, inviting anyone who steps inside to grapple with the delicate balance between belonging and isolation.
Jennifer Lee arrives from Hong Kong with dreams of education and a promise of love, only to discover that the relationship she counted on has already begun to fray. Stranded between expectation and reality, she leans on the familiar warmth of family, finding an unexpected ally in her supportive cousin, Samuel Pang. A cab driver who knows the alleys like the back of his hand, Pang offers more than rides; his quiet kindness becomes a steady compass as Jennifer navigates an unfamiliar world, from language barriers to the unspoken rules of her new community.
The film captures the gentle hum of everyday life—late‑night conversations over tea, the clatter of street vendors, the soft glow of lanterns—while threading a subtle current of yearning beneath the surface. The tone is bittersweet and reflective, allowing moments of humor and tenderness to surface amid the larger questions of identity, loyalty, and what it means to call a place “home.” The chemistry between the two protagonists hints at a connection that could reshape both of their lives, without dictating the direction it will take.
As the seasons shift, the city itself feels like a character, offering both refuge and challenge. Jennifer and Samuel move through its streets, each step a quiet negotiation between past expectations and future possibilities, leaving the audience eager to see how their intertwined journeys will unfold.
What Happens in An Autumn’s Tale?
The complete story of An Autumn’s Tale, from the first scene to the last, in 989 words (about 4 minutes). Spoilers throughout.
Spoilers ahead
Jennifer Lee [Cherie Chung Cho-Hung] travels from Hong Kong to New York City to pursue her studies with her boyfriend, [Danny Chan Bak-Keung] Vincent. Samuel Pang [Chow Yun-Fat], a relative of Jennifer, arrives at the airport with two friends, Cow [Ching Yong-Cho] and Bull, to pick her up. Pang escorts Jennifer to her apartment and explains that she can stamp on the floor if she needs anything, since he will be living downstairs.
The following day, Jennifer wakes Pang to learn how to take a train to meet Vincent. At the train station, she spots Vincent with a girl named Peggy [Wu Fu-Sheng], and in a burst of anger she hurries back to the car, tossing the box of dolls onto the street. Pang’s car runs over the dolls as they pull away, a small but telling accident that foreshadows the tangled emotions to come.
That night, Pang answers a call from Vincent. He invites Jennifer to meet for lunch the next day at Silver Palace, a restaurant where Pang works as a busboy and overhears their conversation. Jennifer intends to study in New York to be with Vincent, but he tells her to explore the city and meet new people rather than follow him everywhere. Jennifer learns he plans to leave for Boston the following day, a revelation that deepens her sense of loss.
Feeling despondent, Jennifer goes home and makes tea. Pang detects a gas smell coming from upstairs, investigates, and finds Jennifer fainted. He helps her downstairs and arranges for someone to call the fire department. Witnessing how strongly Jennifer clings to the idea of Vincent, Pang takes her out for a walk to clear her head.
The next day, Jennifer visits a Chinatown restaurant. Pang enters and sees her, but she avoids him at first. A friend at another table beckons Pang over, yet he still moves toward Jennifer’s table. He tastes Jennifer’s egg sandwich, signals the staff for extra plates, and begins to show genuine care by helping her with small tasks. He even assists with building a bookcase and decorating her room. Jennifer shares that she has taken a part‑time babysitting job to cover rent and would need another job for tuition and other expenses. Pang discovers her grandfather’s watch, though the strap is worn, and vows to help in any way he can.
Pang plans a Broadway trip, buys tickets, and tries to arrange a comfortable night out, though his plans continually clash with Jennifer’s busy schedule. Jennifer catches a NJ Transit bus to help Pang, who is being questioned by an NYPD officer outside the theater, and she ends up running late for her babysitting job. Pang insists on driving her to the assignment. They arrive at the child’s home, but Jennifer is overwhelmed by anxiety and asks Pang to stay with her.
Tony, one of Mrs. Sherwood’s boyfriends, offers Jennifer a waitress job at his restaurant, a suggestion that raises Pang’s suspicions. Mrs. Sherwood, who has just returned home, admonishes Tony’s advances and tells Jennifer to leave immediately. After hearing news that Jennifer lost her babysitting job, Pang and his friends head to The Big Panda restaurant and confront the owner, an act that illustrates Pang’s protective instincts.
The next morning they spend time trying to sell Jennifer’s dolls to raise funds. While wandering through the park, Jennifer spots Vincent with Peggy again, but she remains determined to move forward. Pang explains that he doesn’t care how others look or are looked at by others, as long as he preserves his own dignity. He confides a dream of opening a restaurant on a pier and naming it Sampan.
Pang writes three commandments and five goals on his bedroom mirror, with one goal reading, “If you want it, go for it,” a motto tied to his unwavering efforts to win Jennifer’s affection. He hosts a birthday party for himself and invites Jennifer, though he doesn’t reveal it’s his birthday. Vincent learns of Jennifer’s presence at the party and converses with her throughout the night. The conversation grows awkward when Vincent reveals that he has broken up with Peggy.
Pang, busy serving guests, leaves the party with a sense that his chances with Jennifer are slim. He turns to drinking and gambling, and Bull asks for more money to pay off their gang troubles. Frustrated, Pang organizes a group of friends to track down the gang and settle the score.
Jennifer later finds a mirror in Pang’s room bearing his handwriting—his name, age, and birthday in English. Feeling lonely again, she walks through a park and finds Anna at her school. Mrs. Sherwood greets Jennifer and confirms that it was Tony who flirted with her earlier; she then invites Jenny to move in with the Sherwood family on Long Island.
Pang returns to his apartment and discovers Jennifer’s graduation certificate. To celebrate, he buys the watchband he spotted earlier as a gift. A complication arises when the old man refuses the gift, so Pang sells his car to fund the watchband. He rushes to Jennifer’s apartment, only to find Vincent helping her move furniture in his car. Jennifer gives him her new address, and the two exchange gifts, leading Pang to assume that she has reunited with Vincent. Yet Jennifer’s response is nuanced, and Pang hesitates before running after her as she leaves.
Unable to catch up as the car speeds onto a highway ramp, Pang walks to a quiet beach. He opens his gift to reveal the grandfather’s watch, and when Jennifer finally opens her gift, she realizes it is the watchband she longed for and she breaks into tears.
Some time later, Jenny walks with Anna on the same beach where she once visited with Samuel. They glimpse a pier-side restaurant named Sampan, which sparks a shift in the air as she approaches Samuel. After a moment of calm, Pang asks, with a soft resolve, for a table for two.
An Autumn’s Tale Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Jennifer lands in NYC; Pang welcomes” to “Sampan moment; table for two”. 14 events name a place, across 11 locations.
- 1
Jennifer lands in NYC; Pang welcomes
Jennifer travels from Hong Kong to New York City to study with Vincent. Samuel Pang arrives at the airport with two friends to pick her up and lets Jennifer know he lives downstairs so she may stamp on the floor if she needs anything. Pang then escorts her to her apartment and offers a supportive introduction to the city.
When:Arrival day Where:New York City - airport
- 2
Train encounter; dolls spilled
The next day, Jennifer wakes Pang to ride a train to meet Vincent. At the train station she spots Vincent with a girl named Peggy, which inflames her. In anger, she throws the box of dolls onto the street, and Pang's car runs over them as they depart.
When:Next day morning Where:Train station, NYC
- 3
Lunch plan and Vincent's advice
Pang overhears Vincent telling Jennifer to meet him for lunch at Silver Palace the next day. Vincent tells Jennifer to explore the city and meet new people rather than follow him everywhere, mentioning he is leaving for Boston soon. Pang notes this conversation, sensing the emotional stakes involved.
When:Following day Where:Silver Palace restaurant, NYC
- 4
Gas rescue; post-confession walk
Depressed, Jennifer goes home and makes a pot of tea. Pang smells gas from upstairs, investigates, and finds Jennifer passed out. He helps her to the stairs and arranges for the fire department, then takes her out for a walk to lift her spirits.
When:Same night Where:Jennifer's apartment, NYC
- 5
Chinatown restaurant meeting
The next day Jennifer goes to a restaurant in Chinatown where Pang walks in and sees her. Jennifer ignores him at first, but a friend from another table calls Pang over. He shares her egg sandwich and arranges extra plates for both of them, signaling the start of their growing bond.
When:Next day Where:Chinatown, NYC
- 6
Home help; grandfather's watch
Pang helps Jennifer build a bookcase and decorate her room. He finds her grandfather's watch, though the strap is worn, a symbol of family ties and Jennifer's past. The moment deepens Pang's resolve to support her.
When:Soon after Where:Jennifer's apartment, NYC
- 7
Broadway tickets; money hustle
Pang goes to buy tickets for a Broadway show, not knowing Jennifer will be busy with babysitting. He tries to sell the tickets, showing his hustling spirit and the practical challenges he faces in making ends meet. This moment highlights his attempts to share experiences with Jennifer.
When:Daytime Where:Broadway area, NYC
- 8
NJ Transit and babysitting dash
Jennifer helps Pang by taking an NJ Transit bus, but Pang is questioned by an NYPD officer outside the theatre. She ends up running late for her babysitting job, and Pang insists on driving her to the child's home to prevent further delays.
When:Evening Where:Outside theatre; NYC
- 9
Tony's offer and The Big Panda
Tony, one of Mrs. Sherwood's boyfriends, wants to hire Jennifer as a waitress for his restaurant. Pang is suspicious of the owner and declines to join Jennifer there for the moment. Later, Pang and Jennifer visit the expensive restaurant The Big Panda, where Pang struggles to read the English menu as the waiter pushes a high-priced array of dishes.
When:Evening Where:The Big Panda, NYC
- 10
Beating up the owner
While babysitting Anna, Tony visits Jennifer and walks with her into the garden. Mrs. Sherwood learns of Tony's flirting and tells him to leave. After hearing about Jennifer losing her babysitting job, Pang and his friends go to The Big Panda and beat up the owner.
When:Next day Where:The Big Panda, NYC
Show the other 4 events of An Autumn’s Tale Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Dolls, park, and Sampan dream
They spend their morning trying to sell Jennifer's dolls for money. In the park, she sees Vincent with Peggy, and Pang explains that his dignity matters more than appearances, sharing his dream to open a pier-side restaurant called Sampan. He calls Jennifer 'cha bo' as part of their evolving dynamic.
When:Following days Where:Park, NYC
- 12
commandments and gift plan
Pang writes on his bedroom mirror three commandments and five goals, including 'If you want it, go for it.' He resolves to pursue his dreams, including a life with Jennifer. He decides to buy a watchband as a gift for her and works to raise funds to do so.
When:Next morning Where:Pang's apartment
- 13
Gift preparation and near-miss
Pang rushes to Jennifer's apartment with the watchband gift, excited to surprise her. He finds Vincent helping Jennifer move furniture in his car and assumes she has returned to Vincent. They exchange gifts, but Pang misreads the situation and runs after her as the car pulls away.
When:Moments after gift exchange Where:Jennifer's apartment, NYC
- 14
Sampan moment; table for two
Some time later, Jenny walks with Anna along the beach and discovers a pier-side restaurant called Sampan. She approaches Samuel Pang at the restaurant, who, after calming himself, asks, 'Table for two?' signaling a hopeful turn in their relationship.
When:Some time later Where:Sampan on the NYC pier
Who Are the Main Characters in An Autumn’s Tale?
7 characters, among them Samuel Pang (Chow Yun-Fat), Jennifer Lee (Cherie Chung Cho-Hung) and Vincent (Danny Chan Bak-Keung): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- SP
Samuel Pang (Chow Yun-Fat)
Played by Chow Yun-Fat
A down-to-earth, kind-hearted neighbor who becomes Jennifer’s informal guardian. He reads people well, offers practical help, and keeps his own ambitions modest while supporting Jennifer’s dreams. His quiet stoicism masks a loyal, protective, and hopeful nature.
- 💼 Helper
- 🧭 Guide
- 🗝️ Loyal
- JL
Jennifer Lee (Cherie Chung Cho-Hung)
Played by Cherie Chung Cho-Hung
A determined student who travels to New York to be with Vincent, but she also yearns for independence. She experiences emotional turbulence, insecurity, and longing, yet shows resilience and willingness to adapt to a foreign city.
- 🎓 Student
- 💔 Heartbreak
- 💪 Resilient
- V(
Vincent (Danny Chan Bak-Keung)
Played by Danny Chan Bak-Keung
Jennifer’s boyfriend who pressures her to explore the city rather than anchoring herself to him. He embodies a noncommittal, drifting dynamic that triggers Jennifer’s heartbreak and drives her toward Pang’s steadier support.
- 🎭 Lover
- 🌀 Indifferent
- 🧭 Traveller
- C(
Cow (Ching Yong-Cho)
Played by Ching Yong-Cho
Pang’s friend who shares in the city’s nightlife and the gang-related conflict that threads through the story. He provides companionship and assists Pang in his efforts to help Jennifer, pointing to a loyal yet rough-edged side of the quarter.
- 🕴️ Friend
- 🗡️ Tension
- 🤝 Loyal
- P(
Peggy (Wu Fu-Sheng)
Played by Wu Fu-Sheng
Vincent’s girlfriend whose presence fuels Jennifer’s jealousy and heartbreak. Peggy acts as a catalyst for Jennifer’s decision to redefine her own path.
- ❤️🔥 Rival
- 🧩 Catalyst
- 🕵️♀️ Mystery
- MS
Mrs. Sherwood (Gigi Wong)
Played by Gigi Wong
A figure connected to Jennifer’s social circle whose relationships, flirtations, and family dynamics create both friction and support for Jennifer. She navigates adult relationships and social expectations within the NYC milieu.
- 🏡 Family
- 💬 Gossip
- 👩💼 Power
- AS
Anna Sherwood (Ming-Suen Jeng)
Played by Ming-Suen Jeng
A younger presence in the Sherwood family who witnesses the unfolding romance and provides a mirror to Jennifer’s hopes and fears. Through Anna’s interactions, the film explores innocence and aspiration.
- 👧 Youth
- 🪞 Perspective
- 🌟 Aspiration
Where and When Is An Autumn’s Tale Set?
An Autumn’s Tale is set in Hong Kong, New York City, Chinatown (New York City), Long Island and Sampan Pier (Late 1980s). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
Late 1980s
An Autumn’s Tale unfolds in a contemporary late-1980s New York setting, a time when cross-cultural encounters between Hong Kong and American life were navigating both opportunities and misunderstandings. The city’s pace mirrors the characters’ emotional tempo, with nightlife, bus routes, and theatres shaping their daily rhythms. The period details emphasize a pre-digital era where personal connections were more direct and fragile. The era frames the romance as a bridging of two worlds at a moment of global dialogue.
Where
Hong Kong, New York City, Chinatown (New York City), Long Island, Sampan Pier
The film spans two major urban centers: Hong Kong, Jennifer's origin, and New York City, where most of the romance and personal growth unfold. Within NYC, the action hops between diverse neighborhoods like Chinatown and the riverfront piers where Sampan and The Big Panda sit as cultural touchstones. Long Island also appears as a backdrop scene of domestic life and living arrangements. The urban setting highlights the clash between immigrant aspirations and the bustling city’s distractions.
- 🗽 Cityscape
- 🗺️ Travel
- 🏙️ Urban life
What Are the Themes of An Autumn’s Tale?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Romance, Immigration and Friendship & Sacrifice.
-
01
Romance
Jennifer’s pursuit of Vincent and Pang’s quiet devotion form the emotional core. The film traces how love can complicate choices, fuel jealousy, and demand sacrifice. It also explores how affection can heal loneliness, even when mutual feelings are imperfect or misread. The evolving relationship between faith, trust, and distance drives the plot forward.
-
02
Immigration
Jennifer’s move from Hong Kong to New York highlights the pressures of adapting to a new city. Pang’s persistence and gentle mentorship reveal how newcomers navigate language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and economic strain. The setting—streets, buses, and immigrant communities—underscores the push-pull between tradition and change. The themes of belonging and self-reliance are central to their journey.
-
03
Friendship & Sacrifice
Pang’s protective actions and his willingness to risk himself for Jennifer show the power of friendship. He sacrifices time, money, and pride to help her pursue her dreams, even when love seems one-sided. The tale emphasizes how personal growth often relies on supportive relationships that demand compromise. The finale reframes their bond as a hopeful, if bittersweet, partnership.
What Kind of Film Is An Autumn’s Tale?
Bittersweet in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Bittersweet
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Bittersweet
A gentle and melancholic romance about a young woman's journey of self-discovery in a new country, filled with quiet longing and bittersweet tenderness.
- melancholic
- hopeful
- lonely
- nostalgic
- reflective
- tender
- cultural adjustment
- unrequited love
- friendship
- immigrant experience
Quiz
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