Yi Yi 2000

The Jian family consists of father NJ, mother Min-Min, daughter Ting-Ting, and son Yang-Yang, living a modest life in Taipei. At the wedding of Min-Min’s younger brother A-Di, NJ unexpectedly encounters his former girlfriend, Sherry, who hands him her number before departing. Sherry is currently married to an American and resides in Chicago. The festivities take a dark turn when Min-Min’s mother, who stays with them, suffers a stroke, leaving her in a comatose state. With her life now dependent on machines, the doctor advises the family to speak to her daily in hopes of reaching out to her consciousness.

Feeling unfulfilled in his job amidst his company’s financial struggles, NJ faces pressure from his colleagues to win over a client named Mr. Ota. Though reluctantly, NJ takes Ota out for dinner, leading to an unexpected bond between them. They end their night at a bar, where Ota displays his musical talent, singing and playing the piano. That same night, NJ reaches out and leaves a heartfelt message for Sherry, expressing regret for how he left their relationship 30 years prior. Meanwhile, Min-Min, grappling with her mother’s fragile state, retreats to a secluded Buddhist monastery to find solace.

Amidst family turmoil, A-Di faces the fallout from a bad investment that results in him being kicked out of the house. Seeking support, he turns to his ex-girlfriend, Yun-Yun, and is allowed back only after the birth of his child. However, the baby shower takes a chaotic turn when Yun-Yun crashes the event, igniting tensions. Following a dangerous gas leak incident, A-Di and his wife find a path to reconciliation.

On the other hand, Ting-Ting grapples with guilt after her grandmother’s sudden collapse while she was responsible for taking out the trash. In her quest for companionship, she befriends her neighbor, Lili. After Lili’s breakup with her boyfriend, Fatty, he starts sending letters through Ting-Ting, and soon grows attracted to her. Their relationship takes a hesitant turn when, after a second date, they check into a hotel room but decide to leave. Complications arise as Ting-Ting witnesses Lili rekindling her romance with Fatty and faces unwanted backlash from him. Overwhelmed with depression, Ting-Ting desperately talks to her grandmother, pleading for her to awaken. Tragically, she later learns of a shocking incident involving Fatty and Lili’s former teacher, leading her to dream of her grandmother’s comfort.

Feeling disconnected from his grandmother, Yang-Yang turns to photography to express himself. After skipping school to purchase film, he faces punishment at school, igniting his resolve to take better pictures despite being tormented by a girl who has a crush on him. Inspired to connect, he teaches himself how to swim in hopes of understanding his bully better.

As NJ is dispatched to Tokyo for crucial negotiations with Ota, Sherry coincidently travels to Japan as well. Their reunion stirs up unresolved feelings, and as they reminisce, it becomes evident that Sherry has not moved on from NJ’s sudden departure. Despite their attempts to work through their feelings, NJ’s insistence on separate rooms during their hotel stay leads to an emotional breakdown for Sherry. In a moment of clarity, NJ informs her that he has never loved anyone else. However, the next day brings devastating news of his company securing a deal with another client, forcing him to return home. This prompts a confrontation with his colleague, and NJ wrestles with his conscience for abandoning Ota in the process of corporate success. He later discovers that Sherry has already checked out, leaving him with unresolved feelings.

Following the death of Min-Min’s mother, she returns to her family, where they all gather to mourn. During the funeral, NJ receives pressure from his colleague to return to work, but he firmly declines. In a poignant moment by her shrine, Yang-Yang delivers a touching monologue, expressing his longing and connections to his grandmother. He captures their shared moments, his yearning to reveal the unseen truths, ultimately concluding with a bittersweet reflection on family and time as he connects the memory of his cousin’s newborn with his own desire to identify with his grandmother by stating, “I am old too.”