The film starts out as a search for the popular dish Americans now as General Tso's chicken which doesn't even exist in China. Where does it come from, why is it a house specialty in lots of Chinese restaurants in the USA (if we are to believe the makers of the movie, as apparently WOKJ people have never seen the dish on any Chinese menu)?

The truth is the search is definitely the least interesting aspect of the movie. Luckily the makers do realize it pretty soon and the docu turns into a fascinating take on the Chinese immigration history, Chinese-USA political relations, Chinese food culture in the USA and the way Chinese food evolved locally in various USA regions.

The thing is all of these are much better themes than the original idea of this movie. I would love to see a proper documentary on any of these. As it is, the movie offers just slight glimpses into very intriguing topics, while the main search for General Tso (both dish and the person) fall pretty flat and drag on throughout the movie.

**1/2 / ***** (C-)