Sundance 2024

Brief History of Family by Jianjie Lin is a tension-filled drama that inevitably draws comparisons to The Talented Mr. Ripley and Saltburn. It delves into the intriguing narrative of a social outsider embedding himself into a more privileged environment, a theme sure to captivate the audience. However, the film sets itself apart by situating this story in post-one-child policy China, adding layers of cultural and familial expectations that shape the characters' motivations and tensions. The story centers around Yan Shuo, who, after revealing the trauma of his home life, is invited into the middle-class family of his friend Tu Wei. As Yan Shuo becomes more ingratiated, the film explores the shifting dynamics within Tu Wei's household, creating a slow-burn psychological drama.

The film excels in its aesthetics, particularly in its shot compositions. Lin's use of framing and sound design crafts an atmosphere of palpable tension, a feat that the audience will surely appreciate. Even in seemingly mundane moments, the film hints at something simmering beneath the surface, creating a sense of unease that carries through much of the narrative. The family's home, where most of the drama unfolds, is shot with a combination of intimacy and distance, making the viewer feel both close to the characters and yet somewhat detached, mirroring the emotional barriers between them. There's a remarkable control in Lin's direction that consistently teases the audience with potential conflict, only for it to build to something subtler and more internal.

Unfortunately, while the film is aesthetically rich, the thematic and narrative depth leaves something to be desired. As Yan Shuo becomes a surrogate son to Tu Wei's family, the potential to explore the dynamics of parental expectations, the aftereffects of China's one-child policy, and the socioeconomic divides that underscore these relationships is not fully realized. The character of Tu Wei, who struggles under his parents' constant pressure to achieve academically, becomes an intriguing foil to Yan Shuo. However, the lack of a definitive arc for either character and a somewhat ambiguous ending means that much of the tension the film builds dissipates without a solid emotional payoff.

The conclusion feels nebulous, and without a clear point of view from Yan Shuo, Tu Wei, or Tu Wei's parents, the film misses an opportunity to leave a more lasting impact. This lack of clarity in the characters' motivations makes the viewer question what the film is ultimately trying to say. While the ambiguity may work for some, it left me wishing for a more robust, satisfying resolution or a deeper thematic dive into the complexities it gestures toward.

That being said, there is plenty to appreciate in Brief History of Family. Its visual beauty and the underlying tension make it worth checking out, even if the overall narrative doesn't fully live up to its potential.

— 3 / 5 ⭐