Chan Is Missing [Blu-ray] [Criterion Collection]

Director: Wayne Wang Wayne Wang

Overview

This thriller about a $4000 robbery was successfully lensed by writer/director Wayne Wang on a budget of $22,000. Cabdrivers Wood Moy and Marc Hayashi are robbed by the elusive Chan Hung (whom we never see in the film). As Moy and Hayashi track down the thief, Wang offers indelible images of the seamier portions of San Francisco's Chinatown. Whether the two cabbies ever retrieve their lost loot is immaterial; the film is a mood and character piece, seasoned with unexpected moments of laughter. Chan is Missing became a sleeper on the arthouse circuit, a fact that would open many professional doors for the multi-talented Wayne Wang.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/31/2022
UPC:	0715515271714
Original Release:	1982
Source:	Criterion Collection
Language:	English
Time:	1:15:00
Sales rank:	10,250

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Wood May	Jo
Marc Hayashi	Steve
Laureen Chew	Amy
Judy Nihei	Lawyer,Lawyer
Peter Wang	Henry, the Cook,Narrator
Presco Tabios	Presco
Frankie Alarcon	Frankie
Ellen Yeung	Mrs. Chan
Emily Yamasaki	Jenny
George Woo	George
Virginia Cerenio	Jenny's Friend
Roy Chan	Mr. Lee
Leung Pui Chee	Mr. Fong
Isaac Cronin	Narrator
Wood Moy	Jo
Judy Mihei	Actor
Robert Kikuchi	Composer

Technical Credits

Wayne Wang

Isaac Cronin

Terrel Seltzer

Wayne Wang	Director,Producer,Screenwriter
Isaac Cronin	Screenwriter
Terrel Seltzer	Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

In addition to being one of the screen's more unconventional mysteries, Wayne Wang's Chan is Missing is also a relatively rare, authentic portrait of life in a Chinese-American community. Working in 16mm on an ultra-low budget, Wang cannily uses his San Francisco locations to create a vivid, urgent look and feel. The story ostensibly revolves around two cab drivers -- engagingly played by Wood Moy and Marc Hayashi -- searching for stolen money, but the plot is little more than a device to introduce the audience to a rich tableau of interesting characters. The tone of the film is warm and generous, and writer-director Wang keeps the action at a brisk pace, mustering up a remarkable amount of detail in the film's brief, 80-minute running time.

All Movie Guide - Richard Gilliam