I saw this movie on its release day in Chongqing, China. I had no idea about it, I just wanted to kill some time and I picked the only movie that was about to start when I arrived at the cinema. I got lucky that it had English subtitles. It is one of my favorite movies now. I was the only westerner in the audience of young Chinese viewers. They were clearly appreciative of the film too.
It is moving due to its examination of teenagers, especially bright ones, and how they feel about themselves and the world. It is also deeply insightful, maybe not always intentionally, about certain very Chinese things.
While it has comic elements, it would be difficult to have a movie about teenagers that didn't, I disagree strongly with those who would categorize it as a comedy. It is a coming of age movie. Very poignant in more than one point in the film.
Physical beauty of women plays a somewhat different role in China than in the west, and this is seen in the film if you know a little of each culture. The role and depiction of family, and family pressure is very Chinese. The characters could have been somewhat better developed, but it is difficult to do that in an ensemble piece.
Bottom line..... I love this film.
It is moving due to its examination of teenagers, especially bright ones, and how they feel about themselves and the world. It is also deeply insightful, maybe not always intentionally, about certain very Chinese things.
While it has comic elements, it would be difficult to have a movie about teenagers that didn't, I disagree strongly with those who would categorize it as a comedy. It is a coming of age movie. Very poignant in more than one point in the film.
Physical beauty of women plays a somewhat different role in China than in the west, and this is seen in the film if you know a little of each culture. The role and depiction of family, and family pressure is very Chinese. The characters could have been somewhat better developed, but it is difficult to do that in an ensemble piece.
Bottom line..... I love this film.