The Jade Pendant (2017)

Sold into an arranged marriage to a drunk and abusive husband, Ying-Ying (Clara Lee) escapes on her wedding night and, at her friend Lily’s urging, books passage on a ship to America.

They don’t have the money for the trip, but a young man offers to pay their fare if they agree to work for Madame Pong (Tsai Chin) in the Flower House in San Francisco for five years once they reach America.

The Flower House, of course, turns out to be a brothel. Ying-Ying is given the new name of Peony by her new boss, but refuses to entertain men; she has the Kung Fu skills to fight them off should they try to enforce their will on her.

Madame Pong takes a liking to the lovely young woman who can speak and write English and allows her to work in other capacities. But Lilly has no such luck, and Peony can do nothing to save her from the life of a prostitute.

Meanwhile, two men show up who will play a major role in Peony’s life.

Madame Pong’s boss Yu Hing (Tzi Ma) wants the young virgin for his own; she reminds him of his late wife. And he’ll stop at nothing to get her.

Tom Wong (Godrey Gao) falls for Peony the first time he spots her. He’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe, and dreams that someday she’ll feel the same way about him.

Review:

An interesting look at the Western experience — the film is set in 1870 and 1871 — from the Chinese point of view. And a film that benefits from a decent budget and a likeable lead in Clara Lee as Ying-Ying / Peony.

But the filmmakers seemed to have a hard time figuring out precisely what they were doing. Making a love story, a martial arts films, or a historical piece about one of the largest mass lynchings in American history.

What they wind up with is a film that comes off way too much like a soap opera to be wholly successful. And, yep, I bet there were lots of madams out West who would let the prettiest of the new girls sweep floors instead of entertaining men.

The jade pendant of the title is an heirloom handed down to Ying-Ying by her grandmother; it’s supposed to bring her luck and keep her safe. And a warning: Do not watch if you can’t stand movies with lots of subtitles.

Directed by:
Po-Chih Leong

Cast:
Clara Lee … Peony
Godfrey Gao … Tom Wong
Tzi Ma … Yu Hing
Tsai Chin … Madame Pong
Nina Wu … Lily
Brian Yang … Sam Yuen
Mark Boone Junior … Capt. Wynne
Russell Wong … Mr. Wong
Chen Tang … Joe Lee
Sue Wong … Po Ping
Perry Yung … Bai Qiang
Raymond Ma … Dr. Tong
Matthew Ziff … Officer Matt

Runtime: 106 min.

Memorable lines:

Tom Wong, as he’s filled in on Master Wu’s protection money racket back in Hong Kong: “This is America, not Hong Kong.”
His friend: “An evil man doesn’t care about borders. We were also in America when they came after our gold. Yu Hing will take everything you cherish. Do not underestimate him.”

Peony: “I don’t believe in this Gold Mountain (America) anymore.”

Madame Pong, about Peony: “Let her have a fresh start.”
Yu Hing: “You think she can become an American? The American Dream doesn’t include us. We will never truly be American in their eyes.”