Movies often try too hard. You know the type—explosions every five seconds or dialogue so "deep" it feels like a philosophy lecture you didn't sign up for. But then you stumble across something like Long Life Happiness and Prosperity, a 2002 Canadian film directed by Mina Shum, and everything just... clicks.
It’s a weird, beautiful little movie. Honestly, it’s criminal that more people haven't seen it. If you’re a Sandra Oh fan—and let’s be real, who isn't?—this is prime early-career Oh. She plays Kin, a single mother living in Vancouver’s Chinatown, just trying to keep her head above water. She’s working double shifts at a restaurant and moonlighting as a telephone psychic.
The irony is thick. She’s telling people their futures while her own looks like a pile of unpaid bills.
Then there’s Mindy, her 12-year-old daughter. Mindy is played by Valerie Tian, and she is basically the heart of the whole thing. Mindy doesn't want toys or a new bike. She wants her mom to be happy. So, naturally, she decides to fix things using Taoist magic.
The Chaos of Good Intentions
Mindy finds a book of charms and starts casting spells. She’s not trying to summon demons or anything; she just wants her mom to win the lottery and maybe find a decent guy. Specifically, she's eyeing the restaurant owner, Alvin Wong.
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But magic in movies is rarely a straight line.
Instead of Kin winning the $250,000 Dragon lottery, the prize goes to Bing Lai, a local butcher played by Ric Young. Instead of a romantic spark for her mom, Mindy’s love potion accidentally makes a different man fall for the wrong person. It’s a mess.
Why the Magic Actually Works (Sort Of)
The cool thing about Long Life Happiness and Prosperity is that it doesn't really care if the magic is "real." It’s more about how these characters react when weird stuff starts happening.
- Shuck Wong (Tseng Chang): An elderly security guard who loses his job but is too ashamed to tell his wife. He spends his days pretending to go to work. It's heartbreaking.
- Bing Lai: The butcher who wins the money but has to deal with his estranged father and a son who wants to be a Buddhist monk instead of taking over the meat shop.
- Kin: Who is just trying to survive while her daughter creates cosmic ripples in the neighborhood.
Mina Shum uses these three colors throughout the film—blue for long life, red for happiness, and gold for prosperity. You'll see them everywhere. In the restaurant, in the clothes, in the lighting. It’s subtle, but it ties the whole "urban fairy tale" vibe together.
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Why This Movie Still Matters in 2026
We live in a world that feels pretty heavy most of the time. This movie was actually written and filmed around the time of 9/11, and the creators, Shum and Dennis Foon, wanted to make something that reaffirmed the human spirit.
It’s not sappy, though. It’s got that gritty, grey Vancouver weather that feels very real. It’s "kinda" sad and "sorta" hilarious at the same time.
Sandra Oh is incredible here because she doesn't play the "perfect mom." She’s tired. She’s a bit cynical. She’s grounded. When Mindy is off in her world of magic mirrors and pebbles, Kin is just trying to figure out how to pay for the bus. That chemistry between Oh and Tian is what makes the movie stick with you. They don't have those fake movie-style heart-to-hearts. They just exist as a family.
Common Misconceptions About the Film
Some people go into this thinking it’s a fantasy epic because of the "magic" in the title. It’s not. It’s a character drama. The magic is a catalyst, a way to force people to look at their lives.
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Another thing? People think Sandra Oh is the main character. Technically, she’s the co-lead, but the story is really seen through Mindy’s eyes. It’s a kid’s perspective on adult problems.
How to Actually Watch It
Finding Long Life Happiness and Prosperity can be a bit of a hunt. It’s a "hidden gem" in the truest sense.
- Check Library Archives: Seriously, Canadian libraries often have the DVD because it’s a staple of Canadian cinema.
- Streaming: It pops up on platforms like MUBI or specialty Canadian streamers (like CTV’s vault) occasionally.
- Physical Media: If you find a DVD copy at a thrift store, grab it. It’s worth the five bucks.
Final Takeaways for Your Own Life
You don't need Taoist charms to change your trajectory. The movie basically tells us that while we’re busy making plans (or casting spells), life happens in the small moments. Prosperity isn't just the $250,000 lottery win—it's the butcher finally talking to his son. Happiness isn't a magic potion—it's Kin realizing her daughter's love is the real win.
Actionable Steps:
- Watch for the colors: If you manage to find a copy, pay attention to when the screen turns gold or red. It tells you exactly what the character is seeking in that moment.
- Look up Mina Shum's other work: Specifically Double Happiness (1994). It’s another Sandra Oh collaboration and it’s equally brilliant.
- Embrace the "messy" fix: Sometimes the way we try to solve a problem (like Mindy's magic) fails, but it opens a door we didn't even know was there. Be open to the "wrong" result.
This film reminds us that we’re all connected in ways we don't see. A kid’s mistake in one house can change the life of a butcher three blocks away. That’s not just magic; it’s just how life works.
Next Steps for You:
If you enjoyed the themes of this movie, you should look into the "Vancouver Trilogy" by Mina Shum. It provides a deep look into the Chinese-Canadian experience through a lens that is both specific and universal. You can also track down the soundtrack by Andrew Lockington, which perfectly captures the whimsical yet grounded tone of the film.