Americanese (2006)

Synopsis
Americanese is a gently cautionary tale that examines the state of romantic separation–where the actions taken in our most vulnerable state often lay the emotional groundwork for our future. Raymond Ding (Chris Tashima) is middle aged, divorced and in the throes of yet another failed relationship. He sleepwalks through the formalities of splitting up, but finds himself in a strange holding pattern where he can’t let go or move on. Raymond is the only Asian man Aurora Crane (Allison Sie) has ever kissed, and the only man she has ever loved. But, when she doggedly tries to move on with her life, she tells him that she is moving out of the apartment they’ve shared for two years. Aurora quickly tumbles into a new romantic involvement with Steve (Ben Shenkman), someone her own age, someone white, someone she could bring home to meet the folks. Raymond begins a new romance with a beautiful colleague, Betty Nguyen (Joan Chen). As their relationship progresses, Raymond's efforts to uncover Betty's secret past lead him to a present day secret that could change his life forever. Raymond's widowed father (Sab Shimono) plans a trip to China to find a picture bride because he doesn't want to grow old alone. Aurora's friend Brenda (Kelly Hu) rejects Asian men as lovers, seeking refuge in a series of unfulfilling sexual liaisons with non-Asian men. Raymond and Aurora meet “for the last time” several times. Americanese is a penetrating anti-romance, filled with lush, dreamlike imagery and sharply realized emotions. It tells the story of two lovers perhaps meant to be together, bewildered as they hopelessly drift apart. Director Eric Byler delivers an intimate adaptation of Shawn Wong’s quintessential Asian American novel and lovingly creates a film that invites the audience to unravel the mystery of an Asian American love story.