Directed by Daniel Hsia, Shanghai Calling makes a clear distinction between Chinese American and Chinese. It’s a distinction many outside the Asian American community fail to make. But its one clearly defined in Shanghai Calling.
The move stars Daniel Henney as a Chinese American lawyer from New York sent to China by his firm to drum up business. The thinking is that Henny being Chinese American will have an advantage over others in winning over new clients. Unbeknownst to the firm, Henny doesn’t speak Chinese and has rarely been out of New York City.
Henny is like the proverbial fish out of the water in China. The movie has been getting strong reviews. Check out this review from Mick Lasalle in the SF Chronicle
