I watched this for film class. I was impressed with the onvious low budget, low crew, etc. and still being able to make a decent film. Gives me hope haha. Having said that... it was okay.

Interesting story and characters, with realistic dialogue. Good acting considering the non-existent budget, but a little too much art school camera work. The two leads work well together. I liked the music and sound design.

Graded on a curve. Always gratifying to see real people on film. Feels a little bit like a mash note to the community.

Understated and effective. Two taxi drivers look for Chan, who functions as the "McGuffin" of the story, since the real agenda of the film is to explore all the different kinds of people who make up San Francisco's Chinatown. Each of the people the... (read more) Understated and effective. Two taxi drivers look for Chan, who functions as the "McGuffin" of the story, since the real agenda of the film is to explore all the different kinds of people who make up San Francisco's Chinatown. Each of the people they talk to has a different impression of who Chan was, and the impressions are mutually incompatible, in the same ways that American society's image of Asian Americans contains lots of conflicting stereotypes.

Interestingly done. The way I saw it put me right in the story, like I was looking for Chan, too. Very effective portrayal of asian americans as they are.

one of the best films that i've ever seen in my life... and it doesn't portray asian americans as kung fu fighters, nerds, or some other sorry-ass racist stereotype. well done wayne wang... you're awesome. oh, and i forgot. watch this film ... (read more) one of the best films that i've ever seen in my life... and it doesn't portray asian americans as kung fu fighters, nerds, or some other sorry-ass racist stereotype. well done wayne wang... you're awesome. oh, and i forgot. watch this film now!

Every element in the movie illustrates its underlying concern: identity and assimilation among Asian-Americans. By no means great, but an astonishing achievement for $20,000.

“Chan is Missing” is the sophomore film from acclaimed (sorta) director Wayne Wang (best known for “The Joy Luck Club”, and “Smoke”). It’s a very small film which tells a simple story of two cab drivers who are looking for a man named C... (read more) “Chan is Missing” is the sophomore film from acclaimed (sorta) director Wayne Wang (best known for “The Joy Luck Club”, and “Smoke”). It’s a very small film which tells a simple story of two cab drivers who are looking for a man named Chan who allegedly disappeared with their money. However what the film really becomes is a\one of the most brilliant commentaries on cultural contact I have seen on film. Set in San Francisco and about Chinese- Americans trying to live their life in America. It’s really a story about real Chinese-Americans living in the United States, not the stereotypical characters shown in films and television at the time (the film was made in 1982). Despite some poor acting from some of the small characters, who are obviously not actors but more friends and family doing the director a favor, the film is very real feeling. Exceptional acting from our two leads gives the film a real documentary feel, as does the extras in the background looking directly into the lens.

To elaborate more on the basis of the film, Moy and Hayashi play Jo and Steve. An Uncle/nephew pair who decide to start up their own cab company, and accept the help of a friend of Jo’s named “Chan”. He is in charge of the financial arrangements, but unfortunately when he is to deliver their $4000 he ends up MIA. So Jo and Steve decide to take on their own investigation onto the whereabouts of their missing business associates. The adventure takes them (and the viewer along) around the streets of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Not long after the concept of the lost money itself gets lost in the onslaught of political and cultural problems of them and their friends and families life. This could be enough to turn some viewers off. However this is also part of the films charm.

Like I said the acting from Hayashi and Moy is superb. Especially Wood Moy, a small round droopy looking man who steals your admiration almost immediately. You cannot help but like him. He is also the perfect counter for the young enthusiastic, smart cracking Marc Hayashi. The chemistry between the pair is spot on. Chan is Missing could almost be an Asian-American “Clerks” or “Slacker”. It is especially reminiscent of Clerks (though it arrived almost a decade earlier) when it come to its charm!

This film somehow manages to mash together a beautiful portrait of San Francisco, and a sometimes humorous, continually apt mediation on inter-generational identity.