Monsoon(2019)
: Kit’s budding connection with Lewis (Parker Sawyers), an American whose own family history is tied to the war, adds a delicate layer of "tenderness and romance" to the journey. Good to Know Before You Watch
: Moving away from his Crazy Rich Asians persona, Golding delivers a "naturalistic" and "tender" performance that critics from Flip Screen highlight as his most realized work. Monsoon(2019)
The film follows Kit (Henry Golding), a British-Vietnamese man who returns to Ho Chi Minh City for the first time in 30 years since his family fled the Vietnam War. He isn't there for a vacation; he is on a mission to find a final resting place for his parents' ashes. : Kit’s budding connection with Lewis (Parker Sawyers),
: Whether or not you share Kit’s specific background, the "struggle between cultural heritage and personal identity" is universal. Rotten Tomatoes reports an 87% critic approval rating, praising its "thoughtful look at the emigrant experience". He isn't there for a vacation; he is
: Shot on location, the film avoids typical tourist clichés. It captures the "vibrant streets and lush landscapes" of modern Vietnam while acknowledging the "lingering shadows of history".
If you are looking for a thoughtful, visual meditation on identity and the immigrant experience, is a hidden gem worth your time. Directed by Hong Khaou and starring Henry Golding, the film is a quiet but powerful exploration of what "home" truly means. Quick Recap: The Story of Kit
LFF REVIEW: “A quiet, bittersweet gem” – 'Monsoon' (2019)