The Gua Sha Treatment

Grandfather Xu travels from China to visit his son Datong Xu in St. Louis, crossing geographic and cultural distances to join a new life abroad. Their reunion reveals a tender, evolving bond as they navigate language barriers and different frames of reference. The moment hints at the broader theme of family bridging generations across cultures.

During a moment of public recognition, Datong speaks about his affection for America and the sense of achievement he associates with the American Dream. The speech foregrounds the value he places on integration and professional success within a global design career. It also foreshadows potential misreadings of his work within his family life.

Back at home, the family tries to settle into a life far from China, and the intergenerational dynamic reveals tenderness and strain as they bridge language and cultural gaps. Datong and his father work to understand each other’s perspectives, while Dennis’s needs challenge the household’s routines. The scene establishes how care and cultural background shape everyday interactions.

Dennis shows a slight fever, prompting the elder Xu to perform a traditional Gua Sha treatment. He relies on the ancient method to ease symptoms while unsure how it will be interpreted in the U.S. context. This private moment foreshadows how cultural practices can become publicly scrutinized.

The marks from the Gua Sha treatment alarm social workers, turning a private family moment into a crisis. The child protection agency steps in as investigators assess whether cultural practices constitute danger or neglect. The family’s ordinary rhythm is upended as professionals evaluate care, safety, and cultural context.

In court, prosecutors argue that Datong's design includes Sun Wukong and signals a worldview that tolerates violence toward his child. Datong counters that the mythic symbolism has deep cultural resonance and should be understood as artistic context, not a reflection of parenting. The courtroom becomes a crucible where Western and Chinese values collide and are tested.

The trial explores the limits of interpretation, where art, symbolism, and real-life care are weighed against accusations of neglect. Datong and his defense argue for nuance and separation between professional work and parenting. The social workers' conclusions are challenged as empathy and fair scrutiny are debated.

Distressed by how easily a mild traditional treatment can be labeled abuse, Grandfather Xu decides to leave the United States. He is overwhelmed by the language barrier and by the broader cultural gap widening around him. His contemplated departure underscores the emotional toll of misunderstanding.

Datong's friend and lawyer, John Quinlan, fights to defend the family, offering practical steps to counter the accusations. He even tries Gua Sha himself to demonstrate that the marks are superficial and not truly harmful. His actions provide a counterpoint to social workers' conclusions and inject hope into the case.

As arguments unfold, the case gradually shifts toward greater understanding and reconciliation. The defense’s emphasis on cultural context is weighed against public safety concerns, guiding a more nuanced outcome. The courtroom and the family begin to reframe the signs as opportunities for cross-cultural care.

Datong is able to return home, and the family is reunited after the legal and cultural hurdles. The home atmosphere shifts back toward warmth as they re-establish routines and shared meals. The reunion underscores resilience and the possibility of harmony across cultures.

The film closes by underscoring the differences between Western and Chinese culture and inviting viewers to consider how misread signs, artistic symbolism, and everyday care can clash and then converge. It suggests that understanding across cultures requires patience, empathy, and open dialogue. The ending invites reflection on family, memory, and belonging.