Written by Carson Chow

Photographs Courtesy of Film

Adapted from a Chinese romance novel published in 2010, My Spicy Love (Wo De Ai Ru Ci Ma La), the film removed almost all of the romantic elements. The sister from China is trying to escape from her grandmother’s desires for her own marriage; the sister from Taiwan is grappling with her relationship with her mother. Moreover, the film’s premise focuses heavily on the love/hate relationship with the deceased father, and examines the connection between the sisters from different Chinese-speaking regions — something rarely seen on the big screen. 

More than anything, such focus on the concept of family is apparent in the chosen names of the three main characters: the three sisters are named Tree (Ru Shu), Branch (Ru Zhi) and Fruit (Ru Guo), highly suggestive of the notion that “We are all the same family born from the same root.” The sense of harmony is found throughout the film as there is not a single scene of conflict or tension amongst the three sisters who have just discovered the existence of one another, but the audience are fed with their proclivity for support from and connection with one another. Upon their first meeting, the three women were able to bond instantly despite their communication shifting between Cantonese and Mandarin!

The film’s vision is an ideal one — the imaginary last shot of the three sisters finally having a proper dinner with their father together. There was no tension nor any linguistic barrier, only harmonious understanding. Whether one speaks English, French, Cantonese, or Mandarin more fluently, this kind of scene is something many would love to achieve at family dinners and beyond! As there are many dialects as well as movements due to Chinese diasporic migration around the world today, one will often find that even though someone may be ethnically Chinese, communication is often fraught because of linguistic differences. Overall, the intention of the film seeks to ask the younger generation to gain a better understanding of their Chinese heritage, society and culture and then to grow stronger collectively. 

At the end of the film, the sister in Hong Kong reazlies her love for her father and for her newfound family. She sells the hotpot business, purchases a car and learns to drive into her new life, signifying the hope of moving on. Some may see this film having a very positive undertone as it seems to promote a harmonious relationship between the very distinct characters with distinct personal stories and language preferences, but this sweet drama has all the kind intentions that try to light the way and give this big extended Chinese-speaking family a possibility to shine.