Lily Gladstone Reflects on Her Rom-Com Role in ‘The Wedding Banquet’

Since captivating audiences with her emotionally charged performances in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ and ‘Under the Bridge,’ Lily Gladstone has become Hollywood's go-to dramatic talent.   However, she is ready to prove to the world that she is not without her side.

 Gladstone plays a more lighthearted part in the romantic comedy version of Ang Lee's 1993 film, ‘The Wedding Banquet’.  In the new plot, she co-stars with Han Gi-chan, Bowen Yang, and Kelly Marie Tran.  The film revolves around a lesbian couple, Tran and Gladstone, who become entangled in a plot when Tran's character, Angela, consents to marry Min (Han) in order for him to obtain a green card.  Min will pay for Angela's IVF in exchange.  When Min's grandma learns of the alleged wedding, things get complicated.

This humorous part was a kind of homecoming for Gladstone.  It felt easy to go back to humor, she thought during the movie's Los Angeles premiere.  She said that she was inherently silly and that when she first envisioned herself as an actor as a child, comedy was where she saw herself.  According to those close to her, this new character feels the most like her own self, and many were even shocked that she had gained recognition for playing subdued, serious roles.

Image Courtesy: Lily Gladstone/ Instagram

 The director of the movie and her co-stars agreed.  Director Andrew Ahn claimed to have recognized her humorous side from interviews conducted long before selecting her, while Bowen Yang described her as "deeply funny" and appreciated her range.  He was thrilled to show off her pleasant and humorous side on TV.

Ahn, who had directed ‘Driveways’ and ‘Fire Island’ before, had a personal stake in the production.  Adapting the original ‘Wedding Banquet’ for 2025 gave him the opportunity to consider how much has changed for queer groups, particularly about marriage and parenthood, since it was the first homosexual movie he ever saw.  Yang went on to say that although the remake maintains the essence of the original, it deftly adjusts to contemporary circumstances, eschewing antiquated plot points to remain current.

‘The Wedding Banquet’ will be released in theatres this week.

–Farheen Ali