If we had a say in last year’s awards season, we’d have given at least a couple of trophies to Awkwafina’s Funniest-Person-of-the-Year-caliber performance in Crazy Rich Asians. Our review gushed: “She has nine of the 10 best lines, but also the best wardrobe by far and a charisma unrivaled by anyone in this nonetheless talented and capable cast. Put her in more movies, please and thank you.”
Looks like we have our wish.
Awkwafina is taking a dramatic turn as the lead in A24’s upcoming dramedy The Farewell, about a Chinese family who visits their dying matriarch but doesn’t tell her she’s dying.
The trailer looks terrific.
Awkwafina proved herself a capable comedic talent last year in Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich, but The Farewell strikes more notes for the actor, giving her armfuls of scenes to flex a wider array of emotional muscle. Not only does this movie look ironic and funny, it looks poignant, sweet and complicated. We can’t wait.
The Farewell opens in theaters July 12.
