Homecoming on AllMovie

In a delicately balanced story about the estrangement of two friends -- one living in the city and one remaining in their native village -- the bonds of friendship are tested by the contradictory values of urban versus rural life. When a thirtysomething businesswoman seeks out her roots in a small Chinese village, the first person she looks up is a childhood friend who has become the headmistress in the local school. Prejudice and suspicion on the part of the villagers start to affect the relationship between the old friends -- but their genuine desire to understand each other's current environment may be just what is needed to overcome any obstacles. The simple facets of daily living are emphasized with perceptive care as the women strengthen their renewed bonds -- while the specialized setting and topic suggest a broader meaning.