Rating: 
Summary: Perfect
Review: This is the fantastic origional film that is head and shoulders above the recent remake "Tortilla Soup". Don't get me wrong, Tortilla Soup by itself is a fine film. Howeverit would be difficult for any director to top Eat Drink Man Woman and the remake suffers in comparison. It is in Chinese with subtitles or dubbed.The film starts with the patriarch of the family, cooking a meal for the traditional Sunday dinner, what one daughter refers to as the Sunday Family torture ritual. It seems a hushed and strained affair and you aren't certain how close the family is. The scene where he makes the meal is interesting in itself because his character is one of the top chefs in Taiwan and if gives you a view of chinese cooking you've never seen in the resterant. However the real interesting dynamic in the film is between he and his three daughters. They do not talk and their main interaction is at these Sunday meals, where not much conversation occures. The oldest daughter is a stern, slightly humorless, teacher who has not looked at a man since having her heart broken in college. The middle daughter is a beautiful and quite sucessfull exectutive for the national airline. The youngest is a sweet college student working part time at MacDonalds. The scenes Alternate between humorous, such as when a friends child trades the inedible lunch her mother tries to make everyday for one made by the man she merely thinks of as her neighbor, not knowing she is eating dishes that would cost a fortune for lunch in her grammer school, or when the younger daughter, sees her friend treating a boy badly and sets her sights on him, to touching, such as when the middle daughter, angry that her father made her go to college instead of being a chef realizes that she cares about him much more than she ever knew. The changes that come over each of the characters, from the blossoming of the older daughter, the softening of the middle daughter and a suprising end with the youngest will keep you laughing and engaged in this movie. If you've loved Ang Lee's other movies, Sense and Senseability, Crouching Tiger, Hidding Dragon, the Wedding Banquet and Pushing Hands, you are depriving yourself of a truley wonderful movie experience if you haven't seen Eat Drink Man Woman. I can't imagine anybody being dissappointed by this film no matter what your mood when you turn it on.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful!
Review: a brilliant film by a brilliant director p.s.- "tortilla soup" is a 2001 film, "eat drink man woman" is a 1994 film - which one is "recycled"?!?!?
Rating:
Summary: This is NOT the Joy Luck Club
Review: I enjoy foreign films. I especially enjoy them when they are well-acted, well-thought out, and happen to capture just a sliver of life that does not get bogged down in stereotypes and melodrama.
Such is Eat Drink Man Woman.
Being a Westerner with a penchant for good titles, I did not, at first, understand the significance of it. But having the knowledge that Asian films, books and animation do not waste titles but imbue them with sensibility and triple-meaning, I knew that there had to be something more to the title.
It became clear.
What a delightful look upon a family, not only an asian family, but a family.
And the interplay between siblings, parent, the surprises that life tosses at us, and the moments that make it worthwhile. I'm sorry to sound like a Hallmark(TM)Card, but I'm unable to be objective without becoming sentimental. So is my weakness.
Ang Lee is a brilliant director. A good director plays upon his/her actors' strengths, empowers the script and uses scenery as an entity. Mr. Lee has done this and more.
Watch the sumptuous feasting, the play of emotions as colorful as the humor, and the dynamics of a quirky yet familiar family. Bravo.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good Movie!
Review: I saw this movie dub. in english and also sub. in chinese. It's very good and interresting, I love the Chinese atmosphere in this movie. If you like the Chinese culture you would love this!
Rating:
Summary: Ang Lee's finest
Review: While "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" does have it's visual hype and "Sense and Sensability" also recieved high acclaim, "Eat Drink Man Woman" is definately Ang Lee's best film. This touching film follows the lives of a master chef and his three lovely daughters. If you've seen any of the previews for this film, it's really nothing like the movie itself. The picture is very much about relationships, the relationships of the daughters and their love interests, among themselves, and with the father. There are some really funny parts to this movie and some really serious ones. I guess this would be a really great "date movie," it has all the ingredients to equate to one. It's just a shame that many audiences can't enjoy movies with subtitles. But if you're a film enthusiast, and are in the mood for something light, give this a try, it has a lot of spirit.
Rating:
Summary: Very intriguing!
Review: Wow! A work that deals with a dysfunctional Asian family? What a surprise with a couple of twists that make you say, "Wow!"
Rating:
Summary: Little Hints
Review: This is one of the best films I have seen in awhile. The story is about widowed master chef Chu and the relationships with his three daughters. The best part of the movie are scenes with him cooking intertwined with scenes of his daughters. You will see one of his daughters flirting with her friend's boyfriend and the next scene is of a frying pan on fire. When watching this movie, you must pay attention to the subtle clues that director Ang Lee gives the audience. They will lead to the surprising ending. This is a totally enjoyable movie.
Rating:
Summary: A Day with Yin Shi Nan Nu
Review: MGM's horrendous DVD releases of late are all forgiven when you take one look at the sparkling release that is 'Yin Shi Nan Nu' (aka 'Eat Drink Man Woman'), a 1994 Taiwanese film that is gaining renewed recognition, mainly because its from the same person who directed 'Wo Hu Cang Long' (aka 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon'). Of all the food-themed movies on DVD thus far, this is definitely my favorite, and while not as layered and grippingly bizarre as its' Japanese counterpart 'Tampopo', it does have its' moments, and the fitting climax ties in very neatly with the plotline. Ang Lee is a truly gifted film-maker, and this is most evident in his Chinese-language work. I shudder to think that hes actually gone and accepted a big studio's proposal to direct 'The Hulk'. Lee's work in the early 1990s, such as this little gem, is well worth investing in. Personally, I find movies of this sort well worth watching - in fact, I've watched this film four times in two different countries and each time realize how it stands the test of time. The storyline is simple - a master chef widower lives in a big house with his three daughters - one is an executive, another is a teacher, the last is a high school student. The film attempts to tie together all their love-lives, a plot that could go horribly wrong and could look tedious, in the wrong hands. Fortunately, Lee refrains from overtures such as the lush but irritating ones sported by 'The Scent of Green Papaya', and handles this film with a great degree of respect for the medium, and respect for the audience. First off, this movie will probably sit best with lovers of Chinese food. The DVD quality enhances the picture - if you own the VHS version or saw the version broadcast by Bravo, you haven't seen the film at all. Colors are crisp and bright, and reds, greens and yellows jump off the screen with great joy. Watching the Chef Chu prepare his food is extremely delightful - and if you are a cook you may learn something new - but it could also lead to hunger pangs. Also, this is NOT the movie to watch if you're vegetarian - chinese cuisine in this movie leans heavily upon non-vegetarian items, so if you're into tofu and spring onions, you may want to pick up a copy of 'Chutney Mary' instead. 'Eat Drink Man Woman's kitchen scenes are overflowing with chicken, peking duck, szechuan lamb and succulent seafood. The banquet scenes are breathtaking, and the attention to preparation of the family dinners are sensational. Not many people know this, but 'Eat Drink Man Woman' is part of The Ang Lee Trilogy, which comprises of 'Pushing Hands', 'The Wedding Banquet' and this film. All these films have a 'father' theme, and the father in all the movies are played by the same gentleman, Sihung Lung. Its not especially great acting (Lung looks like hes playing the same father in all three movies, even though he IS supposed to be playing different characters) but the talented ensemble cast make all the difference. The film also introduces us to the Westernization of the Orient - Taiwan is indeed a beautiful place, and it also paints a charming picture of the Taiwanese school system. That a picture can address all these themes and still walk away successful, is testament to Ang Lee's brilliant direction and screenplay. On DVD, 'Eat Drink Man Woman' will probably never look better, unless of course its presented in a Superbit Collection, which may really never happen. The only problem I had with it is that theres not a whole lot of extra features. However, the main feature here is a new documentary with Ang Lee that goes on for nearly 20 minutes where he takes us through his creative process at the time. This is captivating, as Ang transports us back to 1994's Taiwan, and takes us on a tour of the film. I would recommend that you watch this documentary after you actually sit through the film as it helps you appreciate the movie a bit more. The other extra on the DVD is a trailer set for the film. These are not very special, and you can tell that they have aged. However, its great to have them available in any format, so I am glad. The best thing about the DVD then, is the movie itself. I am not sure that many Chinese language films have been given such excellent treatment by an American studio, considering that they almost never make a profit in the digital medium (unless of course its something as overpriced as 'In the mood for Love' which is fast becoming one of Criterion's bestselling discs this year). Time and time again, I was taken in by the beautiful hues and shades that have been brought to life once again on this DVD release. If you're a lover of world cinema, 'Eat Drink Man Woman' is certainly a film that you need to obtain on DVD. I prefer this to 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon' and also 'The Wedding Banquet'. And considering that its being released at discount price to begin with, its obvious that its a great deal. If you are interested in the other films in this trilogy, you can currently get them only on VHS. It surprised me that 'Pushing Hands' was actually once released on DVD in the US, but is now out of print. And 'The Wedding Banquet' is also not available on DVD. Lets hope that MGM gets around to putting them on digital disc as soon as possible. All in all, this is a selection that is worthy of a place in a world cinema lover's library. It has immense repeat value, and you may pick up a few kitchen skills along the way!
Rating:
Summary: See this before going to China.
Review: This is a movie I recommend for those actually going to China. It is an excellent portrayal of the delicate intricacies of familial relationships in China and does a superb job of showing contemporary culture and society in today's China.
It's not the most stellar Ang Lee movie ever made. It does add to his cinematographic reputation. No doubt about it, this is a visually gorgeous movie. It's not perfect; there are some holes in the storyline and underdeveloped plots. However, it is an enjoyable and watchable film. It would appeal to those unfamiliar with Chinese cinema as well as to those well versed in the Big 5.
Rating: 
Summary: Better than "Crouching Tiger"
Review: This is an enjoyable movie about a real family in an intriguing, Chinese setting. Nobody can fly. There are no pretty women who can beat up an army of men. Just a real story about interesting people in an interesting place. Very funny at times, very somber at times, and engaging always. It'll also leave you wishing you were a better cook, especially if you're a man. Money well spent.
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