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“The Farewell” is a moving comedy-drama film that explores grief and family connections. It features an award-winning performance from Awkwafina that had audiences tearing up.
Witness a heartwarming story about goodbyes and holding onto the best things in life. Keep reading to see where you can watch “The Farewell” in Canada.
Table of Contents
What is The Farewell All About?
“The Farewell” centers around Billi, who shares a deep bond with her grandmother, Nainai, living in China while her family resides in America. When Nainai is diagnosed with a terminal illness and given only a few months to live, the family plans a wedding as a pretext to gather and spend time with her. However, adhering to Chinese cultural norms, they keep the diagnosis a secret from her. Upset by this decision, Billi’s parents advise her not to join them to prevent Nainai from discovering the truth. Despite this, Billi decides to visit her grandmother and grapples with conflicting emotions while honoring her family’s wishes. The film tenderly explores Billi’s poignant struggle to cherish her time with Nainai as her final days approach.
Who Are in the Cast and Production of The Farewell?
The movie was directed and written by Lulu Wang who based the story on her own life experiences. It was produced by different production companies such as Ray Productions, Big Beach, Depth of Field, and Kindred Spirit with Daniele Melia, Marc Turtletaub, Peter Saraf, Andrew Miano, Chris Weitz, Jane Zheng, Lulu Wang, and Anita Gou as the film’s producers. The movie was distributed by the well-known film company A24. The cast includes:
- Awkwafina as Billi Wang
- Tzi Ma as Haiyan Wang
- Diana Lin as Lu Jian
- Zhao Shu-zhen as Nai Nai
- Lu Hong as Little Nai Nai
- Jiang Yongbo as Haibin
- Chen Han as Hao Hao
What is the Rating for The Farewell?
“The Farewell” received a PG rating which means that younger audiences are allowed to watch the movie but parental guidance is advised.
How Many People Watch The Farewell?
During its theatrical release “The Farewell” grossed $17.7 million in the United States and Canada and eventually earned a total worldwide gross of $23.1 million despite not being a big-budget film.
How Are the Reviews for The Farewell?
“The Farewell” opened to success during its Sundance premiere. One of the highlights of the movie was its lead star Awkwafina who critics applauded for her exceptional performance as Billi. She went on to earn a Golden Globe for her performance in the film. The movie earned a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a 7.5/10 rating on IMDb, and an 89/100 score on Metacritic. The movie also received plenty of positive reviews such as:
- “The Farewell has a special feeling about it. It’s full of truth and emotion, and lacking in sentimentality. It has an eye for absurdity and for the telling detail, and it marks Lulu Wang as a director with the rare but essential ability to make you care about what she cares about. It will go down as one of the standout movies of 2019.” – Mick LaSalle of the San Francisco Chronicle
- “Grief and love coexist in The Farewell, as do truth and fiction, past and present, sorrow and joy. It’s an outstanding, quietly devastating, deeply personal story, and one that’s destined to put Wang firmly on the map.” – Alissa Wilkinson of Vox
Where to Watch The Farewell in Canada?
You can watch “The Farewell” on streaming platforms available in Canada.
Is The Farewell Available on Streaming?
Netflix
You can stream “The Farewell” and witness Awkwafina’s breakthrough performance in this family drama on Netflix. Here are the subscription plans that the platform offers:
| Plan | Price | Number of Simultaneous Screens | Streaming Quality |
| Basic with Ads | CAD$5.99 | 1 device | SD |
| Basic | CAD$9.99 | 1 device | HD |
| Standard | CAD$16.49 | 2 devices | HD |
| Premium | CAD$20.99 | 4 devices | Ultra HD |
A Netflix subscription gives you access to its wide selection of content that you can stream including Studio Ghibli movies like “Ponyo” and series like “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” which are also available on any device that you use anytime you want to watch. Whether you’re looking for a new series to binge-watch or something to watch for your next movie night, Netflix has got you covered.
Is The Farewell Available for Rent (VOD)?
Viewers can also rent or purchase “The Farewell” on different VOD platforms in Canada. Here are a few platforms that offer viewers a chance to rent or purchase the movie. Just a heads up, rented films are only available for a limited time.
| Platform | Rent | Purchase |
| Apple TV | CAD$4.99 | CAD$12.99 |
| Amazon Prime | CAD$3.99 | CAD$9.99 |
| Cineplex | CAD$3.99 | CAD$9.99 |
| Google Play Store | CAD$3.99 | CAD$9.99 |
| Microsoft | CAD$3.99 | CAD$4.99 |
| Youtube Movies | CAD$3.99 | CAD$9.99 |
Is The Farewell on Cable or Free TV?
“The Farewell” is unavailable on any Free TV or cable networks in Canada.
Should I Use a VPN to Watch The Farewell?
You don’t have to use a VPN to watch “The Farewell” in Canada because it can easily be streamed on Netflix without any restrictions.
Grief and Difficult Decisions
Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell” beautifully portrays cultural roots, focusing on a decision deeply rooted in Chinese culture. As the family gathers with good intentions, Billi, raised with different values, faces an ethical dilemma. The film explores the tug-of-war within Billi as an immigrant, struggling to reconcile her family’s perspective. Underlying the cultural differences, her grief becomes the heart of the matter. Billi disagrees with the decision to lie to Nainai, believing her grandmother deserves the truth and a chance to say goodbye. While centered on the family’s collective grief, particularly Billi’s, the movie also offers insightful commentary on culture and the immigrant experience. “The Farewell” weaves a moving story that resonates deeply with anyone close to their family.
You can watch “The Farewell” on Netflix and VOD platforms in Canada.
