Combination Platter (1993)

Synopsis:

Largely set in a bustling Chinese restaurant, "Combination Platter" savors its culinary metaphors to such an extent that its credits appear as items on a menu. This is a modest independent feature that proves a nourishing alternative to the largely junk food diet served up by Hollywood. Robert (Jeff Lau) is a young illegal alien from Hong Kong who lives in Flushing, a neighborhood in Queens, New York with a large East Asian community. Working as a waiter, he hopes to improve his lot by securing a green card; all the illegal workers live in constant fear of raids by the Department of Immigration. Robert and his friend Andy (Kenneth Lu) try to negotiate a "fake" marriage to Michelle (Juliet Leong), a young "ABC" (American-born Chinese) woman, but she wants too much money for the deal. Meanwhile, Robert dutifully sends a portion of his modest earnings back to his folks in Hong Kong, along with letters that paint a deceptively sunny picture of his life in America. The busy restaurant where Robert is employed is owned by an Asian-American and staffed by people of various Asian origins. One waiter, Sam (Lester "Chit Man" Chan), has incurred major gambling
debts which drive him to begin pocketing communal tips. Robert's limited contact with non-Asians is through working with Benny (Colin Mitchell), a friendly white busboy, and by serving a succession of cranky customers. He is fascinated by a bickering pair of regulars, a young white man and his Asian-American girlfriend. At Andy's urging, Robert
begins dating Claire (Colleen O'Brien), a shy, lonely woman with whom he has nothing in common other than an interest in Chinese food. Plagued by conscience, he eventually reveals that he is using her; hurt and furious, she breaks off the relationship.
Things also deteriorate at work. Robert confronts Sam about his theft and gets him fired. Not much later, the Department of Immigration raids the restaurant, with Robert narrowly escaping by hiding in the walk-in freezer. He returns to work with his situation still unresolved, and watches as the young white man proposes to his Asian girlfriend.

Actors:

Jeffrey Lau, Coleen O'Brien, Chit-Man Chan, Colin Mitchell, Kenneth Lu, Thomas K. Hsiung, Jia Fu Lin, Ellen Synn, Nathanel Geng, Peter Kwong, Eleonora Kihlberg, James DuMont, Lu Yü, Vincent H.H. Kuo, Kwan Chack Lan, Juliet Leong, Doug Rand, Sean Grover, Ann D'Agnillo, Shira Levin

Directors:

Tony Chan

Writers:

Edwin Baker, Tony Chan

Year:

1993

Genres:

Comedy Drama, Drama, Food & Drink

Awards:

1993 Sundance Film Festival Waldo Salt Screenwriting award

DVD details

BBFC:

Classification is to be confirmed by the British Board of Film Classification

Release Date:

Not released