The Aisle Seat continues its ‘Home Edition’ series, with a motion picture exclusive to Netflix. Please though, despite the similar title, do NOT confuse ‘Tigertail’, an emotionally-driven drama, with Netflix’s other ‘tiger’ offering. They are two very, very different cats.
‘Tigertail’ is one of the more personal films you’ll see. A multi-generational tale about a Taiwanese factory worker who leaves his home to find opportunity in America, there are elements here that will connect with many, touch some, drain others, and it honestly has the ability to gut punch us all – in a beautiful way, sure…..but it’s a whopper of the feels.
Hong-Chi Lee plays the lead as Pin-Jui, an impoverished lad born in Taiwan. After losing his father at the age of one, he lives with his grandparents in the small village of Tigertail, toiling away at a factory with his mother. Pin-Jui is very protective of his parent in the workplace, and feels it’s his duty to look after her. But he relentlessly yearns for more. He falls in love with Yuan (Yo-Hsing), dreaming of escaping to America with her. But fate intercedes and while Pin-Jui does indeed make it to New York, it’s nowhere near the existence he dreamed…and even worse, he has to leave Yuan behind, stepping into an arranged marriage devoid of love or any ounce of connection.
The story is narrated by Grover (Tzi Ma), an Americanized name, for he’s actually an older Pin-Jui, a shadow of his former self. Any kind of hope has disappeared, causing friction between him and his only daughter, Angela (Christine Ko). Grover has to find a way to reconnect with his past in order to finally build a life worth living before it’s too late.
Directed by Alan Yang, ‘Tigertail’ is a beautiful looking film, one that probably deserves to be seen on the big screen, and hopefully will. Until then, Netflix it is….and a (so far) hidden gem that is poignant and, like a lot of the good stuff streaming right now, a wonderful reminder of perspective and savoring the richness of family while we can.
