This is a "slice of life" film about some people in the Chinese community of Vancouver. The leading characters are a single mom and her super-superstitious little girl. Because of the cute little girl's machinations, their lives become intertwined in the stories of several others in the neighborhood. I particularly enjoyed the unforeseen consequences that occur when the girl tries to slip her mother and a male friend a love potion.The film is very atypical compared to a Hollywood style film in that the plot is very slim and the emphasis is on people. Plus, not all the story lines are worked out perfectly--there are plenty of dangling plots that do not get resolved when the film concludes. Both these aspects of the film may put off many viewers, but if you appreciate independent and foreign films, this will not be a problem. As for me, I liked the characters and the way their lives were portrayed in such simple ways.This was a very enjoyable film--one I could have easily scored an 8. However, I also realize that my enjoyment of the film may just be because I am not an Asian and I didn't notice all the flaws in the way they portrayed the Chinese-Canadian community. I did feel rather perplexed that Sandra Oh was cast in the lead because I know she's of Korean decent--and it did seem very odd to have all the adults in the film speaking Chinese (I assume Cantonese) and yet she spoke almost none. She's a good actress but just seemed in the wrong element here. In addition, whether or not these superstitions, good luck charms, potions, etc. are real I have no idea and I could easily see people assuming this is typical for the community. According to Frank L.'s review, he was upset about the misrepresentations of his culture and I just have to assume the film makers took a lot of liberties about this.

While I'm not going to be as harsh on the film as Frank L., this is a movie that has some great material to work with but was compromised by the director not following through.Characters started speaking English at times which seemed inappropriate (likely because the director thought that viewers would lose interest in reading subtitles through 80% of the film), story threads such as the conflict between the father and son seemed half-baked and not well-developed, etc. etc.And yes, Sandra Oh's inability to speak Cantonese (she flounces through 3 syllables at the beginning of the film, and reverts to English for the rest) puts her at odds with the rest of the characters in her group.In film productions, shots that are not up to standards are marked as CBB, for Could Be Better. This is a film that with more planning and a more coherent vision of how the story arc should work could have been great. Instead, it is marred by things which I'm sure someone winced at including in the final cut.

While criticized by the one viewer over the film's perceived cultural inaccuracies, I found this film to be delightful and touching. The setting is an Asian enclave in a Northwest Canadian coastal city where a 12 year old girl, lives with her mom who struggles to make ends meet (Dad abandoned them both a long time before)and never takes time for her own needs. In the same community is a man who owns a barbecue store which he intends to have his 20 year old son take over (but the son has other ideas), and a security guard who, with his lovely wife, is adjusting to the departure of their last child from the home.The girl begins an intense study of Chinese magic in an attempt to help her mother win the lottery and a husband. Her amateurish application of magic, which, in a touch of magical realism seems to actually work (think Gabriel Garcia Marquez meets Ang Lee), but not as originally intended. As things get worse, the girl, literally playing with fire, tries one magic weapon she had not dared to use before.The beauty of this film is in the human story which has an Asian flavor, accurate or not, but which could have been set in the deep south (think "the heart is a lonely hunter"), Brooklyn, or anywhere there are single mothers struggling to raise children and children beginning to have dreams for their lives. Of course I don't believe in magic, Chinese or otherwise, but is is a wonderful vehicle that makes the story move forward on everyman's (and every-girl's) journey to Long Life, Happiness & Prosperity.

This movie is made by a Canadian Chinese director who does not understand Chinese culture. She does not even speak the language. Now, how many chinese people who speak perfect English would work in a chinese restaurant as portrayed in the movie? Many things are exaggerated about the chinese culture and unfortunately, it creates new stereotypes unheard of before. Immigrant families will not make the 2nd generation continue in the same 'profession' - as what the BBQ store guy tried to do in the movie.People may find this movie sweet with the cute little girl running around trying to create a witch's brew with ideas created for this movie only. Non of this exists in chinese cultural supersticion.And what's up with the Sandra Oh girl? She is being used for the 2nd time in Mina shum's movies, they must be best friends... using a Korean to portray a Chinese is nuts.In summary, if you are someone from a chinese culture and understands it clearly, you will be scratching your head after watching this movie. Otherwise, those viewing from the outside will get a chuckle and will wonder more if this is actually what's going on inside a chinese family.