Pushing Hands is a 1992 Taiwanese film directed by Ang Lee, starring Wang Changan as the lead character, Master Chu. The film explores the cultural differences between the East and the West, through the eyes of a retired Tai Chi practitioner who moves to the United States to live with his son's family. The film centers around Master Chu, who has spent his entire life practicing and teaching Tai Chi, a Chinese form of martial arts. After his wife passes away, Master Chu decides to move to the United States to be with his son Alex (Bo Z. Wang) and his American wife Martha (Deb Snyder) in their New York City apartment. However, the cultural gap proves to be much larger than Master Chu had anticipated, and he finds adjusting to American life and his new living situation to be a challenge. His style of living and his values clash with those of his son and his wife, causing tension and conflicts to arise.
Alex is a successful businessman who is determined to get ahead in his career, and he does not have time for his father's traditional way of life. Master Chu finds his son's way of life upsetting, and he is disappointed that they do not share the same values. Meanwhile, Martha is kind and hospitable, but she also struggles to understand Master Chu and his way of living. The couple's two-year-old daughter, Emily, is the only one who seems to enjoy her grandfather's presence and the Tai Chi lessons he offers her.
As the film progresses, we see the ways in which Master Chu tries to adapt to American life. He tries to learn English, but he struggles with the language barrier. He also struggles to find a sense of purpose and a way to contribute to his new home. After a chance encounter with a man (Jui Wang) who suffers from back problems, Master Chu discovers that he can use his Tai Chi skills to help others. He begins to teach Tai Chi classes to a group of elderly people, including Mrs. Chen (Sihung Lung), who becomes a close friend to Master Chu.
The film is a subtle exploration of the complex dynamics between family members from different cultures who are united by blood, but may not share the same values or ways of life. The characters are portrayed with nuance, and we see their flaws as well as their good qualities. The film is emotionally resonant, and it shows the importance of open-mindedness and mutual respect between individuals from different cultures.
Overall, Pushing Hands is a thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of cross-cultural interactions, and shows the importance of empathy and understanding. The film is beautifully shot, and Wang Changan delivers a moving and nuanced performance as the lead character. The film is both funny and poignant, and it leaves a lasting impression on the viewer.
