Customer Reviews

Catfish in Black Bean Sauce [VHS]

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found this movie by way of "DVD Deals," and what a deal, you really get you money's worth. What a nice discovery, but sad that many people won't really know about this low budget movie. First of all, I found it amazing that quit a few, seasoned and famous actors participated in this low budget movie, like Paul Winfield (recently deceased at a young age of 62), Alice Walker and Sanaa Latham. This is one of the reasons why this movie suceeds because the actors are aptly able to convey a seemingly implausible storyline: A black couple adopts a Vietnamese brother and sister who are all grown-up and searching for their identities. The flash backs really works in explaining how these characters ended up with each other. It is a tender love story between uncondtional parents and their children whose commitment to what family really means endures even the most challenging hurdles. This comes in a form of a long lost Vietnamese mother and the uncertainties of falling in love. Sometimes this movie resolves in comic one liners that seemed out of place, but if you think about it, it is a bit of a relief from the seriousness of the moment. I like this movie a lot even though it has some awkward moments because it is very sincere in potraying its characters so keenly that even if it is not a perfect movie, you ended up caring about the characters. And don't forget the tisse paper.

"Catfish in Black Bean Sauce" is a truly heart-warming movie. It's a story of a vietnamese male (the protagonist) who fell inlove with a beautiful black woman. Apparently, he was brought up by a nice African-American couple. The story breaks the "stereotype" among Asian-Americans as well as African-Americans. Some of the characters in the story were great ,and they also play significant roles in the movie. Although, there were conflicts in the beginning,it shows that people of different cultures can live together in perfect harmony (By the way, there are also Caucasian actors in the movie, so it's not just a movie about Asians and blacks).
There are several reasons you should buy this movie:
1. It's entertaining
2. It has humor
3. The story is interesting (not common)
4. Great acting
5. and finally, it might open the minds of close-minded people.
Why can't Hollywood producers make more movies like this???

If you don't, this film may change your mind. This movie was a breath of fresh air. The saying, "it's not where you're from it's where you're at" comes to mind when describing this movie. The movie is about two Vietnamese children who are adopted by a black couple. The movie does a wonderful job of showing how the family's present day interractions with each other came to be with a series of flashbacks, as well as the complexities of intteracial adoption. Humour is interwoven in good measure which really makes the movie very entertaining. This is definitely one for my collection.

Aside from some mild cursing, I would even say this is a good family movie (too complex for anyone under 13). All the actors/actresses in this movie should take a bow. Bravo!

I loved this movie, written by the leading man, it was poignant without being patronizing. I think it's a sleeper hit. I saw this over the Thanksgiving weekend and can't wait to own it. I ordered it the following day after watching it.

I had first watched "Catfish and Black Bean Soup" a couple of years ago on the Black Stars channel, after seeing it I thought it was pretty good. While browsing through amazons independent film the name came up as part of its listing and I was thrilled because I liked the movie so much. Every time it came on Starz I would watch it because it was so hilarious.

"Catfish and Black Bean Soup" is told in current times, fantasy-dream mode, and childhood flashbacks. At times scenes may seem like cliché, yet I laughed. I was hooked into the whirl of it all. This movie has all the spices required in making it an interesting independent film. It takes a humorous approach on cultural and gender differences without making you feel that it's "yesterday" story. Chi Muoi Lo did an excellent job for a first-timer on this film. And I loved the chemistry between the African-American couple and between the entire cast in general. I was also impressed that the movie was filmed in a slightly different approach and conversations were cut off to keep the audience wondering what really did happened. Since some things weren't completely explained, it left the audience the chance to use their own reflections on what was going on between the people.... very intelligent. Not only was it dead serious at times but a cute comedy as well.

It's a spicy dish -- a real mix of various types and levels of relationships: mother-son, mother-daughter, brother-sister, Asian-Black, husband-wife, roommates, in-laws, young loves -- diversity filled to the brim. There's also warmth, conflicts, misgivings and forgiving's, with a lot of heart! See it to taste it. I definitely would recommend this film.

This movie is a great tool for initiating dialogue about issues of diversity! The conversation between Dwayne and Micheal concerning Samantha (Mike's girlfriend) is great and challenges people's need to label one another. It touches on many cultural issues in a real and comedic way. This is one of my favorite movies. Paul Winfield and Mary Alice are incredibly believable, and all the actors do a fine job of drawing in the audience.

"Catfish in Black Bean Sauce" is one of the funniest, no I take that back, IS THE FUNNIEST movie I have ever seen. The pure eccentricties of the movie is what makes it great, not to mention the outstanding performances by the actors/actresses. When I tell people about the movie, everyone looks at me as if I made it up. That is until they have the opportunity to see this AWESOME movie for themselves. I first saw it a couple of years back and have been in love with it ever since. It is a prime example of how two completely different cultures can come together and co-exist in "harmony." I would sooooooooo recommend this movie to any and everyone looking to see a movie that is truly worth while.

This DVD arrived in excellent condition and well within the specified time. I would not hesitate to order another DVD thru Amazon. Catfish is a wonderful story about family ties, at times very touching and humorous, from a refreshingly different angle of Asian and African American interracial interactions. I can relate and love it!

I thought that this was a great movie. I love Sanaa Latham. Her love interest is an Asian male that is adopted by a black family. He and his sister are sent from Vietnam during the war. They aren't sure if their mother is a live ir dead. The sister decdes to look for her and she finds her and brings her to the states. This causes problems for the black mother that can believe that her adopted daughter is so ungrateful. Great story.

Wonderful movie. Wish everyone has a chance to see it. The true meaning of a family movie. The cultural significants is what really interested me. The difference in people made no difference, the family was really all the same as if they were of the same nationality. The characters were endearing and you wanted to stick around to enjoy the fun. Hurray for a well written movie and a slew full of wonderful actors and actress. All this, and it was funny too!!!