An Autumn’s Tale

An Autumn’s Tale

Year: 1987

Runtime: 98 mins

Language: Cantonese

Director: Mabel Cheung Yuen-Ting

DramaRomance

Set in New York’s Chinatown, a cab driver becomes enamored with a college student. Hong Kong native Lee Kay arrives in the neighborhood to attend classes, only to learn her boyfriend is cheating. Seeking comfort, she leans on her supportive cousin while navigating love and cultural adjustments.

An Autumn’s Tale (1987) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at An Autumn’s Tale (1987) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the bustling heart of New York’s Chinatown, the neon‑lit streets pulse with a mix of tradition and modernity, creating a backdrop where old‑world rituals meet the relentless pace of the city. The neighborhood’s markets, cramped apartments, and low‑key eateries form a living tapestry that feels both intimate and sprawling, inviting anyone who steps inside to grapple with the delicate balance between belonging and isolation.

Jennifer Lee arrives from Hong Kong with dreams of education and a promise of love, only to discover that the relationship she counted on has already begun to fray. Stranded between expectation and reality, she leans on the familiar warmth of family, finding an unexpected ally in her supportive cousin, Samuel Pang. A cab driver who knows the alleys like the back of his hand, Pang offers more than rides; his quiet kindness becomes a steady compass as Jennifer navigates an unfamiliar world, from language barriers to the unspoken rules of her new community.

The film captures the gentle hum of everyday life—late‑night conversations over tea, the clatter of street vendors, the soft glow of lanterns—while threading a subtle current of yearning beneath the surface. The tone is bittersweet and reflective, allowing moments of humor and tenderness to surface amid the larger questions of identity, loyalty, and what it means to call a place “home.” The chemistry between the two protagonists hints at a connection that could reshape both of their lives, without dictating the direction it will take.

As the seasons shift, the city itself feels like a character, offering both refuge and challenge. Jennifer and Samuel move through its streets, each step a quiet negotiation between past expectations and future possibilities, leaving the audience eager to see how their intertwined journeys will unfold.

Last Updated: December 04, 2025 at 15:38

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Gentle immigrant journey movies like An Autumn’s Tale

Stories of quiet cultural adjustment, tender connections, and new beginnings.If you liked the tender, bittersweet portrayal of cultural adjustment in An Autumn’s Tale, you'll find similar movies here. These gentle dramas focus on characters rebuilding their lives in a new country, navigating loneliness, friendship, and quiet romance without high-stakes drama.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives typically follow a protagonist's arrival in a new environment, often facing initial setbacks like heartbreak or isolation. The central journey involves gradual adaptation, forming meaningful—sometimes unspoken—connections, and ultimately finding a sense of belonging. The plots are driven by emotional arcs rather than complex events, culminating in resolutions that are hopeful yet realistically bittersweet.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared low-intensity, bittersweet tone and focus on the quiet, reflective moments of immigration. They excel at capturing a specific mood of nostalgic melancholy intertwined with hope, often featuring steady pacing and straightforward narratives that prioritize emotional authenticity over dramatic plot twists.

Movies with quiet longing like the romance in An Autumn’s Tale

Character-driven stories where love simmers beneath the surface of everyday life.For viewers who appreciated the subtle, unspoken romance in An Autumn’s Tale, this collection features similar films. These stories prioritize emotional depth over overt drama, exploring love that grows quietly through friendship and shared vulnerability in a gentle, steady-paced narrative.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a central, often unrequited or slow-burning romantic connection. The relationship develops organically through shared experiences and supportive gestures, rather than grand declarations. Conflict is typically internal—driven by hesitation, circumstance, or past heartbreak—leading to an ending that feels earned and emotionally resonant, if not perfectly happy.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their subdued approach to romance, high emotional resonance with low dramatic tension, and a bittersweet tone. They share a specific vibe of tender longing, where the pacing allows the audience to sit with the characters' feelings, creating a deeply immersive and reflective experience.

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An Autumn’s Tale Summary

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An Autumn’s Tale Summary

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An Autumn’s Tale Timeline

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Characters, Settings & Themes in An Autumn’s Tale

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