Eat Drink Man Woman is a film directed by Ang Lee and stars Sihung Lung, Yu-wen Wang, Chien-lien Wu, Kuei-mei Yang. Many of the cast had starred in Ang Lee's previous film, The Wedding Banquet with Sihung Lung and Ah Lei Gua once more playing central elderly figures, and Winston Chao. The film was released in 1994.

The film was a critical success. The movie Tortilla Soup 2001 is a re-make of this movie.

Plot Summary

The film tells the story of a retired and widowed Chinese master chef Chu (Si Hung Lung) and his family living in modern day Taipei, Taiwan. At the start of the film, he lives with his three attractive daughters, all of whom are unattached. The three daughters represent three stereotypes of woman:

• the oldest one playing the role of a old maid school teacher with a broken heart
• the middle one playing the role of the career woman who is afraid of commitment
• the youngest one playing the role of the conniving school girl.

As the film progresses, each of the daughters encounters new men in their lives. When these new relationships blossom, the sterotypes are broken and the living situation within the family changes. The film concludes with a surprise ending involving the chef himself.

Themes

A major theme of the movie is that romantic relationships gives life meaning and is a necessity of life (such as eating and drinking).

The film features several scenes displaying the techniques and artistry of gourmet Chinese cooking. Since the family members have difficulty expressing their love for each other, the intricate preparation of banquet quality dishes for their Sunday dinners is the surrogate for their familial feelings.

Another theme is the burden of aging. Chef Chu is depicted as having lost his "one true love" (his wife), losing another (his passion for cooking) and about to lose all three daughters to marriage, not to mention the usual spectre of old age.

Interesting notes

• The title is an old expression elaborating (roughly) human nature - "to eat, drink and be human", contemplated upon by Chu with his long-time friend while both were inebriated
• This was the first film Ang Lee made in Taiwan