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American Girl

Original title: Mei guo nu hai
  • 2021
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
1.8K
YOUR RATING
Caitlin Fang in American Girl (2021)
During the SARS outbreak of 2003, 13-year-old Fen returns to Taiwan.
Play trailer2:08
1 Video
10 Photos
DramaFamily

During the SARS outbreak of 2003, 13-year-old Fen returns to Taiwan.During the SARS outbreak of 2003, 13-year-old Fen returns to Taiwan.During the SARS outbreak of 2003, 13-year-old Fen returns to Taiwan.

  • Director
    • Feng-I Fiona Roan
  • Writers
    • Bing Li
    • Feng-I Fiona Roan
  • Stars
    • Karena Ka-Yan Lam
    • Kaiser Chuang
    • Caitlin Fang
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    1.8K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Feng-I Fiona Roan
    • Writers
      • Bing Li
      • Feng-I Fiona Roan
    • Stars
      • Karena Ka-Yan Lam
      • Kaiser Chuang
      • Caitlin Fang
    • 15User reviews
    • 8Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins & 21 nominations total

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:08
    Official Trailer

    Photos9

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    + 4
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    Top cast9

    Edit
    Karena Ka-Yan Lam
    Karena Ka-Yan Lam
    • Lily
    • (as Karena Kar-Yan Lam)
    Kaiser Chuang
    Kaiser Chuang
    • Huay
    Caitlin Fang
    • Fen
    Pin-Tung Lin
    • Ann
    • (as Audrey Lin)
    Winnie Shih-Ying Chang
    Winnie Shih-Ying Chang
    • Ting's Mom
    Kimi Hsia
    Kimi Hsia
    • Ms. Su
    Teng-Hui Huang
    Teng-Hui Huang
    • Liu
    Jia-Yin Tsai
    Jia-Yin Tsai
    • Math Teacher
    Bowie Tsang
    Bowie Tsang
    • Dr. Han
    • Director
      • Feng-I Fiona Roan
    • Writers
      • Bing Li
      • Feng-I Fiona Roan
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews15

    7.11.8K
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    Featured reviews

    7hisashi-leon

    Like a story that every family encounters

    American Girl with Seven Nominations at the Golden Horse Awards In fact, there is not much innovation in the structure of the story.

    It also happens to be almost the time when I want to go out of society.

    The time point of experiencing a SARS Said to be some nostalgic props scenes and music (such as Jay Chou's music) I personally think it's still too little resonant Also because of the current living environment It still exists to this day Honestly Jay Chou's old songs The song was really annoying to hear in Taiwan back then Now in China, every capital is a classic song Songs or covers can be heard everywhere But in fact, at that time we I've heard it for a long time without feeling (even forgot the names of many songs)

    Although the starting point is the perception of a big girl Meet friends from studying in the United States I have to go back to Taiwan to start a new life In fact, even my friends are like this Most are unwilling And the Chinese in the past were able to have friends Or finally can be integrated into some groups I really don't want to start over again (friends also mentioned their feelings back then) Most are still marginalized in the United States And when you come back to Taiwan, you will be punished by Taiwanese people.

    The Difficulty of Thinking You're Self-righteous When You Come Back from the U. S. Going to the United States to really rich people?

    The elders who passed away when I was a child It's also a blank past and started to do it with nothing.

    There are not many surprises in the acting of the little girl in the play Or rely on Lin Jiaxin's acting tension to string other people's performances The plot part is actually a problem that everyone will encounter The relationship between husband and wife gets along to maintain the whole family How to deal with the relationship with the child I also chose the time when the child just entered the rebellious period How do children view this home?

    Express your ideas in a way that contradicts your parents The ending is a little too fast There is no space for people to extend their imagination.
    10koolkathy-30288

    captured the essence of a mother- daughter relationship

    This film is exactly what it's like. Most accurate depiction of mother daughter relationship i've seen on film thus far. Extremely well written, draws you in. I cried many times. It's just so well done it's so moving PLEASE WATCH.
    10microwavedmac

    Well-written, realistic and emotional film

    This is a family drama that is realistic and relatable, at least for me. I resonated deeply with a lot of the main character's experiences - from the deep love-hate mother-daughter relationship and the bond between the sisters, to Fen Liang's stubbornness and intense emotionality. Watched it with my mum and she could "totally understand the feelings of the mother".

    A couple of reviewers have noted that the film is quite slow but I feel like the pace, camera angles and scenery make it feel as if the audience is only spectating the real lives of the family, instead of being served some hyper saturated plot-driven story. I respect that it might not be everyone's cup of tea though. All in all, I thought it was a cinematic and greatly truthful film.
    10dailybluehead

    A great story with real emotions, honest conversations, and a family that fails to communicate their love for each other

    TL;DR: I cried the entire movie and am thankful for having the opportunity to see this film and the story it shared.

    SHORT NOTE: The important parts of this movie for me were some of the smaller conversations. Some say that the film is slow, but I hope as a watcher you decide to notice the small details of these characters. The non-verbal communication is so crucial to this story. The slow pace is purposeful to draw out the emotions in each character.

    Full review (contains examples but not spoilers of the film):

    We may all try to step into the shoes of the protagonist and watch this story as if it were our own. Instead, I felt like these were my shoes being walked in by someone else. I do want to clarify that Fen's story is different from mine, but there is a lot of overlap and a deep connection to how everything is told. My own mother was always weak and sick ever since I can remember. We sometimes had discussions about her being ill and the "what-if" questions about death. I recall the fights my parents had about it, money, and more. I appreciate the ability of this film to show these perspectives. Even the feelings and emotions we regret having, the ones we try to ignore and forget. Fen does not shy from showing the honest and hurtful words that end up being used against your loved ones. The conversations these characters have are so accurate to the struggles of communicating during hard times. Each family member has their own legitimate concerns, but it feels like a war of who's in more pain. You can see it in their eyes, the sighs in their breath, and the attempts of them trying to say more.

    Watching this movie, you get a third perspective on the family and their actions. Wishing that if they would all communicate more that everything would be better. Not the case. There is one scene in particular that sticks out to me. The scene of them entering a westernized diner to me is like a dream. Primarily because everything takes a pause. All their problems are left at the door before they enter this place. Fen gets to feel like she's back in the U. S. again, while, Ann gets the ice cream she has been longing for from Dairy Queen. Even the mother gets a small victory of being able to reconnect with her daughters. She lets her kids get anything on the menu, even though we're aware she doesn't have much to spend. We get to clearly see this mother is trying her best and would do anything for her children (that's within her power). Sadly, outside of this scene Fen believes her mother "can do better". But given the third perspective from Ting, she responds by asking "what if this is her best"?

    As a kid, like Fen, I often found it difficult to still feel listened to when our problems were less that of our parents. However, our ignorance gets the best of us, and sadly and we hurt each other more than we need. This story felt personal to me and I appreciate the writers/directors and cast for telling such a good story in such an honest way.
    8kaymariej

    Well written film

    I loved the film scenery and background of this story, I felt deeply connected with the characters and understanded the emotions they were going through in each scene.

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    FAQ16

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 3, 2021 (Taiwan)
    • Countries of origin
      • Taiwan
      • Hong Kong
      • Singapore
    • Official site
      • Official Facebook
    • Languages
      • English
      • Chinese
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • 美國女孩
    • Production companies
      • Media Asia Films
      • Splash Pictures
      • JVR Music
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 41m(101 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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