The whole plot of Chan Is Missing hints at an Asian American stereotype, with the search for Chan evoking the mysterious, impenetrable Asian character that Hollywood seems to love. But the film was fresh, conversational, and natural. It defied convention and succeeded, winning director Wayne Wang accolades from critics and audiences alike. Chan Is Missing was a small and cheap film (made for an implausible $20,000) with a big impact, and it paved the way for Wang’s next project: directing Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club.
