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An Autumn’s Tale (1987) movie poster

Timeline

An Autumn’s Tale (1987) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
1987 · 98 mins · Cantonese
Directed by
Mabel Cheung Yuen-Ting
Starring
Chow Yun-Fat, Huang Man, Brenda Lo, Gigi Wong, George Gerard, Cherie Chung Cho-Hung

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.

On this page (6)
  1. 1 Events in order (14)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like An Autumn’s Tale
  5. 5 Categories
  6. 6 Every angle

14 events in order · contains spoilers

An Autumn’s Tale Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of An Autumn’s Tale (1987) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Jennifer lands in NYC; Pang welcomes

    Jennifer travels from Hong Kong to New York City to study with Vincent. Samuel Pang arrives at the airport with two friends to pick her up and lets Jennifer know he lives downstairs so she may stamp on the floor if she needs anything. Pang then escorts her to her apartment and offers a supportive introduction to the city.

    When
    Arrival day
    Where
    New York City - airport
  2. Train encounter; dolls spilled

    The next day, Jennifer wakes Pang to ride a train to meet Vincent. At the train station she spots Vincent with a girl named Peggy, which inflames her. In anger, she throws the box of dolls onto the street, and Pang's car runs over them as they depart.

    When
    Next day morning
    Where
    Train station, NYC
  3. Lunch plan and Vincent's advice

    Pang overhears Vincent telling Jennifer to meet him for lunch at Silver Palace the next day. Vincent tells Jennifer to explore the city and meet new people rather than follow him everywhere, mentioning he is leaving for Boston soon. Pang notes this conversation, sensing the emotional stakes involved.

    When
    Following day
    Where
    Silver Palace restaurant, NYC
  4. Gas rescue; post-confession walk

    Depressed, Jennifer goes home and makes a pot of tea. Pang smells gas from upstairs, investigates, and finds Jennifer passed out. He helps her to the stairs and arranges for the fire department, then takes her out for a walk to lift her spirits.

    When
    Same night
    Where
    Jennifer's apartment, NYC
  5. Chinatown restaurant meeting

    The next day Jennifer goes to a restaurant in Chinatown where Pang walks in and sees her. Jennifer ignores him at first, but a friend from another table calls Pang over. He shares her egg sandwich and arranges extra plates for both of them, signaling the start of their growing bond.

    When
    Next day
    Where
    Chinatown, NYC
  6. Home help; grandfather's watch

    Pang helps Jennifer build a bookcase and decorate her room. He finds her grandfather's watch, though the strap is worn, a symbol of family ties and Jennifer's past. The moment deepens Pang's resolve to support her.

    When
    Soon after
    Where
    Jennifer's apartment, NYC
  7. Broadway tickets; money hustle

    Pang goes to buy tickets for a Broadway show, not knowing Jennifer will be busy with babysitting. He tries to sell the tickets, showing his hustling spirit and the practical challenges he faces in making ends meet. This moment highlights his attempts to share experiences with Jennifer.

    When
    Daytime
    Where
    Broadway area, NYC
  8. NJ Transit and babysitting dash

    Jennifer helps Pang by taking an NJ Transit bus, but Pang is questioned by an NYPD officer outside the theatre. She ends up running late for her babysitting job, and Pang insists on driving her to the child's home to prevent further delays.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    Outside theatre; NYC
  9. Tony's offer and The Big Panda

    Tony, one of Mrs. Sherwood's boyfriends, wants to hire Jennifer as a waitress for his restaurant. Pang is suspicious of the owner and declines to join Jennifer there for the moment. Later, Pang and Jennifer visit the expensive restaurant The Big Panda, where Pang struggles to read the English menu as the waiter pushes a high-priced array of dishes.

    When
    Evening
    Where
    The Big Panda, NYC
  10. Beating up the owner

    While babysitting Anna, Tony visits Jennifer and walks with her into the garden. Mrs. Sherwood learns of Tony's flirting and tells him to leave. After hearing about Jennifer losing her babysitting job, Pang and his friends go to The Big Panda and beat up the owner.

    When
    Next day
    Where
    The Big Panda, NYC
  11. Dolls, park, and Sampan dream

    They spend their morning trying to sell Jennifer's dolls for money. In the park, she sees Vincent with Peggy, and Pang explains that his dignity matters more than appearances, sharing his dream to open a pier-side restaurant called Sampan. He calls Jennifer 'cha bo' as part of their evolving dynamic.

    When
    Following days
    Where
    Park, NYC
  12. commandments and gift plan

    Pang writes on his bedroom mirror three commandments and five goals, including 'If you want it, go for it.' He resolves to pursue his dreams, including a life with Jennifer. He decides to buy a watchband as a gift for her and works to raise funds to do so.

    When
    Next morning
    Where
    Pang's apartment
  13. Gift preparation and near-miss

    Pang rushes to Jennifer's apartment with the watchband gift, excited to surprise her. He finds Vincent helping Jennifer move furniture in his car and assumes she has returned to Vincent. They exchange gifts, but Pang misreads the situation and runs after her as the car pulls away.

    When
    Moments after gift exchange
    Where
    Jennifer's apartment, NYC
  14. Sampan moment; table for two

    Some time later, Jenny walks with Anna along the beach and discovers a pier-side restaurant called Sampan. She approaches Samuel Pang at the restaurant, who, after calming himself, asks, 'Table for two?' signaling a hopeful turn in their relationship.

    When
    Some time later
    Where
    Sampan on the NYC pier

Last updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:37

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Timeline questions answered

An Autumn’s Tale Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of An Autumn’s Tale (1987): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Vincent leave Jennifer for Boston?

Vincent left for Boston because he wanted to break up with Jennifer but didn't have the courage to tell her directly. When they met at Silver Palace, he suggested she explore the city and meet new people rather than follow him, hinting at his intention to end the relationship. He had already started seeing Peggy and planned to leave without giving Jennifer a clear explanation, which is why she felt betrayed and hurt.

  • vincent
  • boston
  • breakup
  • peggy
  • relationship end
Q2

Why did Pang sell his car to buy the watchband?

Pang sold his car to buy the watchband because he wanted to repair Jennifer's grandfather's watch as a meaningful gift. He had noticed the watch's strap was worn and wanted to restore it for her, seeing it as a way to connect with her past and show his care. When the watchband was too expensive for the old man to accept as a gift, Pang sacrificed his only means of transportation to afford it, demonstrating his deep commitment to Jennifer.

  • pang
  • car
  • watchband
  • grandfather watch
  • sacrifice
Q3

What happened at Pang's birthday party?

Pang hosted a birthday party and invited Jennifer without telling her it was his birthday. During the party, Vincent arrived and spoke with Jennifer throughout the night. The situation became awkward when Vincent revealed he had broken up with Peggy. Pang, who was busy serving guests, felt his chances with Jennifer were diminishing and left the party frustrated, turning to drinking and gambling.

  • birthday party
  • vincent
  • peggy
  • pang
  • jealousy
Q4

Why did Pang beat up The Big Panda restaurant owner?

Pang beat up The Big Panda owner after learning that Jennifer lost her babysitting job. The incident occurred because Tony, one of Mrs. Sherwood's boyfriends, had been flirting with Jennifer and offered her a waitress job at his restaurant. When Mrs. Sherwood admonished Tony's advances and told Jennifer to leave, Jennifer lost her income source. Pang and his friends responded by confronting the owner at The Big Panda, showing his protective instincts toward Jennifer.

  • big panda
  • owner
  • fight
  • babysitting job
  • protection
Q5

What does the ending at Sampan restaurant mean?

The ending signifies hope and a new beginning for Pang and Jennifer. After all the emotional turmoil, Pang finally opened the pier-side restaurant he had dreamed about, naming it Sampan. When Jennifer walks onto the beach with Anna and discovers the restaurant, Pang calmly asks for a table for two, indicating he's ready to move forward and愿意 start a new chapter with her.

Foreshadowing: Earlier in the park, Pang shared his dream of opening a restaurant on a pier called Sampan.

  • sampan
  • restaurant
  • pier
  • ending
  • new beginning
  • hope
Q6

Why did Jennifer give Pang her new address?

Jennifer gave Pang her new address because despite appearing to reunite with Vincent, she wasn't fully committed to getting back together with him. When Pang rushed to her apartment with the watchband gift, he found Vincent helping her move furniture and assumed she had chosen Vincent. However, Jennifer's action of giving her address to Pang, along with her tearful reaction to the watchband, indicated she still had feelings for Pang and wanted to keep a connection open.

  • new address
  • vincent
  • gift
  • misunderstanding
  • relationship
Q7

What was the significance of the dolls being run over by Pang's car?

The dolls being run over symbolized the destruction of Jennifer and Vincent's relationship. When Jennifer spotted Vincent with Peggy at the train station, she threw the box of dolls onto the street in anger. As they drove away, Pang's car accidentally ran over the dolls. This small accident foreshadowed the collapse of Jennifer's romantic hopes and the emotional turmoil that would follow.

  • dolls
  • car
  • accident
  • foreshadowing
  • breakup
Q8

What was Pang's dream of opening a restaurant?

Pang dreamed of opening a pier-side restaurant called Sampan, named after the traditional Chinese boat. He shared this dream with Jennifer while they were in the park, explaining that dignity matters more than how others perceive you. The restaurant represented his aspiration for a better life and stability. He even wrote 'If you want it, go for it' as one of his goals on his bedroom mirror, reflecting his determination to pursue this dream.

  • sampan
  • restaurant
  • dream
  • pier
  • ambition
Q9

Why did Jennifer faint from gas and how did Pang help?

Jennifer fainted from gas poisoning after feeling despondent following Vincent's revelation that he was leaving for Boston. She went home and made tea, but apparently left the gas on. Pang smelled the gas from downstairs, investigated, and found Jennifer unconscious. He carried her downstairs, arranged for someone to call the fire department, and then took her out for a walk to lift her spirits, showing his caring nature.

  • gas
  • faint
  • rescue
  • pang
  • poisoning
Q10

What were Pang's commandments and goals written on the mirror?

Pang wrote three commandments and five goals on his bedroom mirror as personal guidelines. One of his goals was 'If you want it, go for it,' which reflected his approach to pursuing his dreams, including his feelings for Jennifer. The mirror also contained his name, age, and birthday written in English. When Jennifer discovered this mirror, she gained insight into Pang's inner thoughts and his serious intentions.

  • commandments
  • goals
  • mirror
  • pang
  • dreams

Movie threads

More Movies Like An Autumn’s Tale, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes An Autumn’s Tale tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

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.

  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • nostalgic
  • tender
  • lonely
  • reflective
  • Tone: bittersweet, melancholic, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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.

  • tender
  • melancholic
  • longing
  • unspoken
  • reflective
  • heartfelt
  • Tone: bittersweet, tender, melancholic
  • Pacing: steady, contemplative
Why these movies?

The story pattern: 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 they belong together: 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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Movies Like An Autumn’s Tale

Similar movies to An Autumn’s Tale: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring An Autumn’s Tale

An Autumn’s Tale appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

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Every angle

An Autumn’s Tale (1987) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about An Autumn’s Tale in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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