Tigertail

Name: Tigertail
Genre: Drama
Released: April 10, 2020
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Bill Dawes, Christine Ko, Cindera Che, Fiona Fu, Hayden Szeto

2020

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Generally favorable reviews based on 19 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Ratings

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Tigertail

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Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): April 10, 2020 | PG

Starring: Bill Dawes, Christine Ko, Cindera Che, Fiona Fu, Hayden Szeto, Hong-Chi Lee, James Saito, Joan Chen, Kuei-Mei Yang, Margot Bingham, Raymond Ma, Tom Kemp, Tzi Ma, Yo-Hsing Fang

Summary: Pin-Jui (Hong-Chi Lee) is a free-spirited yet impoverished young Taiwanese factory worker, who makes the difficult decision to leave his homeland — and the woman he loves — behind in order to seek better opportunities in America. But years of monotonous work and an arranged marriage devoid of love or compassion leave an older Pin-Jui (TziPin-Jui (Hong-Chi Lee) is a free-spirited yet impoverished young Taiwanese factory worker, who makes the difficult decision to leave his homeland — and the woman he loves — behind in order to seek better opportunities in America. But years of monotonous work and an arranged marriage devoid of love or compassion leave an older Pin-Jui (Tzi Ma) a shadow of his former self. Unable to sympathize with his daughter Angela (Christine Ko) and at risk of living out his retirement in solitude, Pin-Jui must reconnect with his past in order to finally build the life he once dreamed of having.… Expand

Director: Alan Yang

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG

Runtime: 91 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Cary Darling

Apr 10, 2020

Tigertail, mostly a period piece that’s also a well-wrought portrait of a man closed off from life whose despair is etched in every line on his face, isn’t satiric or comedic in the slightest. Read full review

IndieWire Eric Kohn

Apr 10, 2020

Yang infuses his earnest, semi-fictionalized story (inspired by his own father’s experiences) with the evocative narrative traditions of modern Asian cinema, from Wong Kar Wai to Edward Yang, resulting in a rich and intimate atmosphere at every turn. While the movie doesn’t achieve the narrative mastery of its influences, Yang’s first feature has a touching emotional through line grounded in authenticity. Read full review

Sandy Schaefer

Apr 10, 2020

Anchored by Yang's sensitive direction and a Tzi Ma performance teeming with life, Tigertail is romantic, thoughtful, and heartbreaking all at once. Read full review

Hoai-Tran Bui

Apr 13, 2020

It’s a love letter, full of scribbles and crossed out words, and parts of which are more eloquent than others. And while Tigertail is a messy and somewhat incoherent love letter, it’s one filled to the brim with that a sincere love and emotion nonetheless. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Apr 10, 2020

Mr. Yang’s story unfolds with decreasing velocity; in the latter stretches patience is required, though amply rewarded. Read full review

Jake Coyle

Apr 16, 2020

Tigertail comes off more as an idea of an arthouse movie than one propelled by its own volition. Read full review

Inkoo Kang

Apr 10, 2020

Its structure is so meager it's downright skeletal. Read full review

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User Reviews

jupchurch97

Apr 14, 2020

Age old story of a man coming to terms with his legacy in life. This time filtered interestingly through the lens of a Chinese immigrant story. The transitions can come off as awkward and Tzi Ma's character can feel stilted at times. The ending scene also doesn't drive home the emotion andAge old story of a man coming to terms with his legacy in life. This time filtered interestingly through the lens of a Chinese immigrant story. The transitions can come off as awkward and Tzi Ma's character can feel stilted at times. The ending scene also doesn't drive home the emotion and feels odd. Overall, it might make you tear up on occasion and is a worthwhile watch.… Expand

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whoischarlotte

Jun 1, 2020

This is all about looking back on decisions through your life and how it impacts the present

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JLuis_001

May 16, 2021

It was good. I mean I liked the story despite the narrative shortcomings, but it was also repetitive and to a certain degree kinda cliche. A lot of Asian films deals with the same themes this one does, and for that reason, despite the things it does well, can't help feeling too normalized,It was good. I mean I liked the story despite the narrative shortcomings, but it was also repetitive and to a certain degree kinda cliche. A lot of Asian films deals with the same themes this one does, and for that reason, despite the things it does well, can't help feeling too normalized, too safe and predictable. Average.… Expand

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