Joyful Reunion (2012)
A heartfelt Taiwanese romantic comedy where a master chef's fateful decision to close his restaurant stirs up family secrets, old loves, and new beginnings.
Joyful Reunion - Movie Information
- Original Title: 饮食男女2012
- Release Year: 2012
- Directed by: Jui-Yuan Tsao
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 23, 2012 (China)
- Alternative Titles: Eat Drink Man Woman: So Far, Yet So Close (AU), 飲食男女：好遠又好近 (TW), Eat Drink Man Woman II (US), 飲食男女 (2012) (HK)
- Production Companies: 太合影视投资有限公司
- Production Countries: Taiwan
Joyful Reunion - Plot
Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China, the present day. Master chef Tang Shizhe (Kenneth Tsang) tells his two daughters, the careerist Wa'er (Huo Siyan) and teenage Xiaolan (Jiang Mengjie), that he has decided to sell his upscale vegetarian restaurant, the centre of his life for 30 years.
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Joyful Reunion - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jui-Yuan Tsao
Main Cast
- Lan Cheng-lung
- Huo Siyan
- Kenneth Tsang
- Gua Ah-leh
- Joseph Chang
- Patricio Antonio Liang
- Huang Xuan
- Yang Yang
- Jiang Mengjie
- Li Qin
Writers
- Hsu Li-Kong
Producers
- Yeh Jufeng
- Jui-Yuan Tsao
Joyful Reunion - FAQs
What is Joyful Reunion about?
Joyful Reunion follows master chef Tang Shizhe in Hangzhou, China, who shocks his two daughters by announcing he plans to sell his cherished vegetarian restaurant after three decades. The decision unravels long-held family secrets and sparks unexpected romantic entanglements, weaving together themes of food, love, and generational change.
Is Joyful Reunion a sequel to Eat Drink Man Woman?
Joyful Reunion is considered a spiritual successor to Ang Lee's beloved 1994 classic Eat Drink Man Woman. It revisits similar themes of family, food, and romance but is set in mainland China rather than Taiwan and features an entirely new cast and story, so no prior viewing is required.
Who are the main actors in Joyful Reunion?
The film stars Kenneth Tsang as the patriarch chef Tang Shizhe, Huo Siyan as his ambitious elder daughter Wa'er, and Lan Cheng-lung as Zhang Quan. The ensemble also includes Gua Ah-leh, Joseph Chang, Huang Xuan, Yang Yang, Jiang Mengjie, and Li Qin.
Where can you stream Joyful Reunion?
You can watch Joyful Reunion on Mometu with ads or stream it for free on Fawesome. Availability may vary depending on your region, so it's worth checking JustWatch for the most up-to-date viewing options near you.
When was Joyful Reunion released?
Joyful Reunion had its theatrical release on March 23, 2012, in China. The film is a Taiwanese-Chinese co-production and was also released in other markets under alternative titles, including Eat Drink Man Woman II in the US and Eat Drink Man Woman: So Far, Yet So Close in Australia.
How does food function as a theme in Joyful Reunion?
Much like its spiritual predecessor, Joyful Reunion uses food as a rich metaphor for love, family bonds, and cultural identity. The restaurant at the heart of the story becomes a symbol of the patriarch's life's work, and the act of cooking and sharing meals drives nearly every emotional turning point in the film.
Who directed Joyful Reunion?
Joyful Reunion was directed by Jui-Yuan Tsao, a Taiwanese filmmaker who also served as a producer on the project. The screenplay was written by Hsu Li-Kong, and the film was produced in Taiwan with a story set in the scenic city of Hangzhou, China.
What are some movies similar to Joyful Reunion?
If you enjoyed Joyful Reunion, you might also like Rich in Love (2020), Little Italy (2018), Daawat-e-Ishq (2014), and Me, Myself and Her (2015) — all romantic films that blend warmth, humor, and heartfelt family dynamics. Ten Winters (2009) and Thiruchitrambalam (2022) are also worth exploring.
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