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After her widowed father loses his job in China, seventeen-year-old Ye Xian (An Nguyen) is sent to New York City’s Chinatown to work for her mother’s cousin, Mrs. Su (Tsai Chin). Desperate to help her father, Ye Xian is eager to get to work. But she soon discovers that what she thought was a beauty salon is actually a massage parlor—one that specializes in happy endings.
When Ye Xian refuses to do her job, Mrs. Su punishes her by forcing her to do the other dirty work around the parlor: the cooking, the cleaning, and the errands. Her only friend is a fish that a mysterious old blind woman gave her for luck. But when the fish begins to outgrow its bowl, Mrs. Su demands that she get rid of it. She does what she’s told, but as things go from bad to worse, Ye Xian begins to wonder if the woman who gave her the fish might be her only hope.
Based on ancient folklore (and a familiar fairy tale), Year of the Fish offers an unexpected twist on the same old Cinderella story. It’s such an unusual mix, in fact, that it’s hard to tell for whom it’s intended—because while the teenage fairy tale story and the rotoscoped animation may make it look like a kids’ movie, its adult setting and its blunt massage parlor conversations make it a story that’s strictly for grown-ups. More than that, though, the story also takes some pretty scary turns, and Ye Xian finds herself in some pretty perilous situations.
For adult audiences, however, it’s an intriguing and artistic tale. Though the story is solidly based in folklore—and its main elements are familiar (and, thus, rather predictable)—Year of the Fish is more than just the same old Cinderella story. As it follows Ye Xian through her fairy tale, it also offers audiences a look at a different culture—from its celebrations to its expectations.
Meanwhile, the rotoscoping technique used to animate the film gives it a surreal, almost dreamlike quality. Depending on the scene, however, that could be either a good thing or a bad thing. In the massage parlor and on the city streets, for instance, the animation softens some of the rough edges—so, instead of focusing on Ye Xian’s tough surroundings, you’ll be drawn in to her story. During the most vibrant scenes, though—such as the New Year’s celebration on the streets of Chinatown—it feels like a beautiful work of art. But, at the same time, the technology isn’t flawless, so the animation isn’t always as crisp as it should be—and the images sometimes appear a bit muddy and blurred.
Though the familiarity of the story does cause the pace to drag at times (which could also have something to do with that hazy, dreamy animation), Year of the Fish is more than just another fairy tale. At times, it’s a cultural lesson…or a work of art. And while it’s certainly not for all audiences, it’s an intriguing tale nonetheless.
Ed. Note: To view Year of the Fish online, visit GiganticDigital.com.
