An Emotional Journey Through Xenophobia and Personal Growth in Rural Wyoming – A Must-Watch for Every Movie Lover
A Great Divide (2023) – A Powerful Drama on Racism, Family, and Redemption You Can’t-Miss
A Great Divide featuring a Korean American family navigating racism and xenophobia in rural Wyoming.
Introduction
A Great Divide (2023) is an exciting and touching film. It shows the problems of racism, family challenges, and personal growth. The movie addresses fear of outsiders and family pressure. It also tells the immigrant story. The film connects well with viewers, especially those who relate to the struggles of Asian Americans. Its strong story and acting make it a must-watch for anyone into dramas about identity and belonging. In this review, we will discuss the film’s plot, relationships, and important message. By looking at the story, acting, and its impact, you’ll see why A Great Divide is a film to see. Whether you enjoy independent films or thought-provoking stories, this review will highlight what makes this film so impactful.
Character Dynamics and Cast
A Great Divide is shaped by its strong, detailed characters, who all add to the film’s emotional depth.
- Ken Jeong plays Isaac Lee. He is usually known for comedy, but in this film, he takes on a serious role. As Isaac Lee, he is a father wanting to start over in rural Wyoming. Jeong shows Isaac as a man trying to stay calm and adjust to the challenges of their new home. His performance is detailed and very emotional.
- Jae Suh Park plays Jenna Lee, Isaac’s wife. Jenna is determined and strong. She wants to face the racism they experience and protect her son, Benjamin. Park’s acting shows both strength and sensitivity, making Jenna a key character who adds emotional depth to the film.
- Emerson Min plays Benjamin Lee, their son. Benjamin is the character that shows the audience most of the tension and drama. Min’s portrayal of Benjamin is relatable. It is strong for anyone who has experienced life as a teenager in a small town. His journey of discovering himself, facing racism, and ultimately finding love is a key emotional story in the film.
- Miya Cech plays Ellie Licht, who is Benjamin’s best friend and maybe more. Ellie is a Chinese adopted who helps Benjamin deal with their new surroundings. Cech’s performance brings emotion to the film. It shows the challenges young people face. They try to fit in a world that doesn’t always welcome them.
- West Mulholland plays Hunter Drake. Hunter starts as a bully, but he grows and redeems himself. Mulholland’s acting reveals Hunter’s struggle between his background and his morals. This is one of the best parts of the film.
- Seamus Dever plays Ranger Tom Drake, the bad guy in the movie. Tom Drake shows the strong dislike for outsiders often found in small-town America. Dever gives the character a scary vibe. This makes him a clear enemy to the Lees. They try to fit into their new life.
The supporting cast is exceptional. MeeWha Alana Lee portrays Grandma Shim. Jamie McShane plays George McNather. Together, they add further layers of complexity and depth to the story. Each actor contributes something unique to their role. This uniqueness makes the character dynamics of A Great Divide a standout feature of the film.
Plot Summary
A Great Divide follows the Lee family – Isaac, Jenna, and their son, Benjamin. They leave the busy Bay Area in California to start fresh in the quiet land of rural Wyoming. Isaac’s new job and Jenna’s wish for a better future for Benjamin drive the move. However, they soon find that the small town is unfriendly. When they arrive, locals greet them with anger and fear because they are outsiders. The film shows how this unfair treatment affects the family’s emotions. It also affects their mental health as they adjust to life in a new place. Isaac tries to fit in and keep a low profile, while Jenna wants to directly confront the racism. This difference in approaches creates stress in the family, as they each struggle to cope with their new situation.
Benjamin, a young boy, has a hard time fitting in and finding where he belongs in his small town. He finds comfort and strength in his friendship with Ellie, a Chinese adoptee who also experiences discrimination. At the same time, there are growing tensions between the Lees and the local community. This leads to a big showdown that makes everyone think about their biases and beliefs.
Full Movie Explanation and Ending Recap
Part 1: The Move to Wyoming
The Lee family experiences a tough change. They move from the busy Bay Area to a mostly white, rural town in Wyoming. The difference is clear: in San Francisco, they were just another Asian-American family, but in Wyoming, they feel like outsiders. At the start of the film, Isaac tries to stay neutral. He hopes things will get better. Jenna, who is more vocal, wants to fight against racism directly. This difference in their views creates tension in their marriage.
Part 2: The Struggle with Xenophobia
The main conflict of the film involves a family. They want to fit in, but the community rejects them. Benjamin faces bullying at school, especially from Hunter Drake, a classmate who enjoys picking on him. However, as the movie goes on, Hunter starts to change. He begins to see the Lees not as outsiders but as regular people just trying to live their lives.
Ellie, Benjamin’s friend, also faces her own struggles with identity and belonging. Her parents have sheltered her from the more painful aspects of racism. Through her friendship with Benjamin, she begins to understand the world in a more complex way.
Part 3: Confrontation and Resolution
The tension rises for the Lee family. They face a key moment. They must decide how to deal with the open hostility they are experiencing. Jenna, who has been outspoken against the racism, reaches her limit. Isaac’s quiet way of handling things is not enough. The turning point happens when a violent clash forces both Isaac and Jenna to rethink their plans.
The film has a hopeful ending. The Lees are still not fully accepted by the community, but their struggles have made them closer. Benjamin has found love and purpose, and he is no longer the shy boy he used to be. The family is stronger for facing these challenges together, and the film ends on a note of redemption.
Exciting News, Budget, and Reception
The movie’s budget is not known. The filmmakers focused more on the story and emotions than on fancy special effects. The cinematography, especially the stunning views of Wyoming’s tough landscapes, makes the film feel genuine.
Even though audiences liked it, A Great Divide has received mixed reviews from critics. Some say the pace is slow sometimes and the themes of racism and xenophobia seem too strong. Yet, the actors, especially Jeong, Park, and Min, are praised for their realism and emotional depth. The film has been noticed at film festivals and will likely be on streaming services like Hulu soon.
My Rating
I would give A Great Divide a 6.5 out of 10. The movie shows a real and touching view of the immigrant experience in America. It deals with deep issues in an emotional and subtle way. The pacing might not suit everyone, but the acting and cinematography make it a film worth watching.
Top 3 Review Sites:
- Rotten Tomatoes – 80% Audience Score
- IMDb – 6/10
- Metacritic – 74/100
Conclusion and Recommendations
A Great Divide is a movie you should see. It deals with important issues in a caring way and tells a touching story about family and strength. If you like strong dramas that talk about social issues, you should watch this film. Look for it on streaming services and tell us what you think in the comments.
To Watch The Full Movie CLICK HERE
A Great Divide (2023) connects with classic movies through themes, storytelling, and character development:
- Similarities with To Kill a Mockingbird (1962):
Both films deal with racism and societal prejudices in small towns. The character dynamics of the Lee family echo the moral struggles seen in the Finch family as they navigate hostile environments. - Parallel to Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967):
This classic explores interracial relationships and societal biases, akin to how A Great Divide addresses xenophobia and cross-cultural friendships through Benjamin and Ellie. - Resilience Like The Grapes of Wrath (1940):
A Great Divide showcases the Lee family’s resilience and pursuit of hope, much like the Joad family’s struggles during the Great Depression. - Redemption Arc Inspired by Casablanca (1942):
Hunter Drake’s transformation in A Great Divide mirrors redemption arcs in classics like Rick Blaine’s journey in Casablanca. - Exploration of Outsiders in Shane (1953):
Both films depict a lone or isolated family/newcomers in rural settings, facing hostility from locals while maintaining their values.
Would you like these comparisons added to your document or expanded upon?
FAQs
- What is A Great Divide (2023) about? Answer: A Great Divide is about a Korean American family that moves to rural Wyoming and faces racism and xenophobia while navigating family dynamics and personal growth.
- Who are the main characters in A Great Divide? Answer: The main characters are Isaac Lee (Ken Jeong), Jenna Lee (Jae Suh Park), Benjamin Lee (Emerson Min), Ellie Licht (Miya Cech), and Ranger Tom Drake (Seamus Dever).
- What themes are explored in A Great Divide? Answer: The film explores themes of racism, xenophobia, family resilience, personal growth, and the immigrant experience in America.
- How does A Great Divide address racism and xenophobia? Answer: The movie depicts the prejudice faced by the Lee family in a small-town setting, showcasing their struggles and the eventual growth and redemption of some local characters.
- What makes the character dynamics in A Great Divide compelling? Answer: The film delves deep into the relationships within the Lee family and their interactions with the townsfolk, portraying emotional growth, conflict, and resolution.
- Who plays the key roles in A Great Divide, and how are their performances? Answer: Ken Jeong, Jae Suh Park, Emerson Min, Miya Cech, and Seamus Dever deliver powerful performances, with Jeong showing a dramatic range beyond his comedic roots.
- How does the setting of rural Wyoming impact the story? Answer: The isolation and cultural homogeneity of rural Wyoming amplify the challenges of racism and adaptation faced by the Lee family.
- What challenges does the Lee family face in A Great Divide? Answer: The family encounters overt racism, struggles to integrate into the community, and navigates internal family tensions stemming from differing coping strategies.
- How does the movie portray the immigrant experience in America? Answer: It authentically portrays the difficulties of assimilation, prejudice, and maintaining cultural identity in a predominantly white rural town.
- What role does Benjamin Lee’s friendship with Ellie play in the film? Answer: Ellie becomes Benjamin’s emotional anchor, helping him navigate discrimination while also dealing with her own identity struggles as a Chinese adoptee.
- How does Hunter Drake’s character evolve in A Great Divide? Answer: Hunter transforms from a school bully to a more understanding individual, reflecting the film’s theme of redemption.
- What is the significance of Ranger Tom Drake’s role as the antagonist? Answer: Tom Drake embodies the deep-seated prejudice in the town, serving as the primary source of conflict for the Lee family.
- How is the theme of redemption portrayed in A Great Divide? Answer: The film shows how characters like Hunter Drake overcome their biases, emphasizing growth and reconciliation.
- What is the overall tone and message of A Great Divide? Answer: The tone is heartfelt and reflective, with a message of resilience, family unity, and the importance of confronting prejudice.
- What are the key moments of tension in the movie? Answer: Key moments include Benjamin’s bullying incidents, Jenna’s confrontations with townsfolk, and the climactic violent clash that forces a resolution.
- How does A Great Divide depict family resilience in the face of adversity? Answer: The Lees grow stronger as a family by supporting each other and finding ways to cope with external hostility.
- What makes Ken Jeong’s performance in A Great Divide stand out? Answer: Ken Jeong delivers a nuanced and emotional performance, showcasing his versatility as an actor in a dramatic role.
- How does the cinematography enhance the storytelling in A Great Divide? Answer: The film’s use of Wyoming’s vast landscapes contrasts with the intimate struggles of the Lee family, highlighting their isolation and resilience.
- What are the critical reviews and audience reactions to A Great Divide? Answer: Critics praise the film for its performances and themes but note occasional pacing issues. Audience reactions are generally positive, highlighting its emotional impact.
- Where can I watch A Great Divide, and is it available on streaming platforms? Answer: The movie is expected to be available on streaming platforms like Hulu in the near future.