MovieChat Forums > The Joy Luck Club (1993) Discussion > Sly trick of editing- *spoiler*

Sly trick of editing- *spoiler*


The producers pulled what I think is a neat visual trick in the final scene of Joy Luck Club. The two older sisters are portrayed by the Sheng sisters. However, in the first two shots of the girls, when June first sees them, the sister on the left is actually played by Kieu Chinh, who plays Suyuan- June's mother- in the rest of the film. The effect is that June (and the audience) "sees" her mother in her sister. The shots are quick and easy to miss, so the result is almost subconcious. The Sheng girl plays the part during the rest of the scene. I didn't notice this until I had watched the film several times. This is a great movie.

reply

[deleted]

You know, I thought it was me seeing things--something I "wanted" to see. I never investigated it further, but I'm glad you did.

Thanks for the great tip!


Oh, but then our lives: believe me, they are indeed wretched.

reply

i used to have this film on VHS years ago, and watched it all the time, but i was a little younger then, so i don't think it had as much meaning for me as it does now... and i just bought it again on DVD and watched it, and i just NOW noticed that little editing trick! i cant believe i never noticed before, out of all the times i've seen this haha:D

reply

Always wondered why this ending gave me a shiver! Excellent pick up - such a simple, subtle idea - thanks for pointing this out - it's not a spoiler, just makes me appreciate the film more.

reply

I don't mean to be an *beep* but I think I watched this movie when I was seven and I still got that the first time around. But good for you anyway:) I'm just glad you liked the movie...I just can't believe how many other people never got that either.

"Hello! My name is Takashi, and I was born into a world that you...may not understand."

reply

I'm 16 - watched "The Joy Luck Club" today for the first time.
I picked up on this straight away.



My first thought, when I saw the two sisters, was 'Wow. One of them looks exactly like their mother'.

Then i realised that it was supposed to mean that June saw her mother in her sister.



A very clever way of positioning the audience to see what June saw.
I feel sorry for the people who did not pick up on this and it seems to me, to be a bit of a waste.

reply

[deleted]

That wasn't sly at all. I saw it almost instantly! It's metaphorical, of course, but it's hardly "sly"

reply

my class noticed that monday when we watched it... its not that insane.

-
Don't Blame V, Put the Blame on Me
put this in you sig if in her you still believe and agree

reply