As part of what would be named the “Father Knows Best” trilogy, Eat Drink Man Woman continues with the same thematic structure as its predecessors. In the three films Ang Lee addresses the conflict that arises between traditional values and modernity within a Confucian family.
Lee places the patriarch or male figure—played by Sihung Lung in the trilogy—at the center of resolving these clashes that threaten family values. The Taiwanese society depicted also showcases the constraints that gender norms have on the definition of success for women. As such, the director puts emphasis on the generational differences in terms of these traditions and modern ideas of self and relationship. With this in mind, Lee gives a visual display of this conflict by juxtaposing the hustle and bustle of the streets and the calmness in the house.
Another element that is prominent and at the crux is food since the father is a master chef who frequently showcases his culinary talents. Lee focuses on the cooking sequences and communal dining for sharing food is a mode of expression in the culture. Food also acts as a point of contention in the household denoting the tension that exists in a Confucian family in the modern setup. This tension is brought to life through the passive aggression and silences during the family dinners that congregate everyone. Lee followed in the footsteps of films such as Tampopo and Like Water for Chocolate that incorporated food as an overall metaphor for familial relationships.
