Yet when the comedian/rapper had a scheduling conflict, Yeoh was able to replace her. Initially created for Jackie Chan, the Daniels revised the main part for a woman (presumably with Yeoh in mind). Behind the scenes, these EEAAO co-writers, co-producers and co-directors prove fresh ideas and a workshopped script can overcome a modest budget. In fact, there’s a segment in the film where the two depict cinematic versions of themselves.Ĭomposer Randy Newman plays off a Pixar reference as he voices Raccacoonie, while the Daniels make cameo appearances in the movie. Both she and veteran actor James Hong (as Evelyn’s Cantonese father) are so skilled at their craft, they don’t even seem like they’re acting. While her Oscar-nominated co-stars (Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, and Jamie Lee Curtis) are fine in their respective roles, Yeoh is on another level as she flexes her range, effortlessly shifting from humorous to heart-rending scenes. Consequently, whenever the plot gets a bit confusing or super goofy, it always remains grounded due to Yeoh’s authenticity. It’s not unusual to encounter a character like this driving a rom-com or melodrama but filmmakers Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert (the Daniels) cleverly plant the complicated, middle-aged mom at the center of their action flick. The recognition is well deserved since the former Miss World Malaysia (1983) and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) star gives her blood, sweat and tears as Evelyn Wang, a Chinese-American immigrant who is battling both the IRS and her gay daughter/multiverse nemesis as well as her own regrets about what she could have been without her mild-mannered and unsuccessful husband.

American born chinese by gene luen yang