Happy TimesDirector: Zhang Yimou
Where Found: Blockbuster, Mission Hills, CA
Drama-Light Comedy
Rating : 3 out of 5 Stars
Premise : Man continues his search for a wife, after many
failed marriages. He comes to the conclusion that he needs a
bigger woman... meets one... and encounters the woman's blind
step-daughter. In order to influence the woman's hand in
marriage, the man creates a lie that he is the general manager
of a hotel (Happy Times). The woman demands that he give the
blind step-daughter a job, forcing the man to deceive the step-
daughter as well.
Comments : Now, this is the director who gave us "Raise
the Red Lantern," and I have to tell you that the Red Lantern's
ending pissed me off to no end.
So, I'm watching this movie with Marie... thinking that it is
very possible that we can get a happy ending... but then remind
Marie - "this is the guy who did Raise the Red Lantern!"
You can decide how you feel about the ending... I didn't like
it... but the movie, as a whole, was pleasing for the most part
(as was "Red Lantern").
Yimou has a very "artsy-fartsy" style, which makes you feel
like you are reading a very classic piece of literature... I
like this kind of style. As a piece of filmmaking, this is a
great movie.
The acting performances and chemistry are excellent... and, of
course, there is a cute Chinese woman who you see in her
underwear at least three times... can't beat that!
This movie would've received a higher rating from me with a
different ending (3 1/2, probably), but I would still recommend
it as a rental, if you are in the mood for some good filmmaking
and thought-provoking material.
Here's some biographical info on Yimou:
http://www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/directors/02
/zhang.html
--------------------------------------------------------
"Treat the Earth not as if it was given to you by your parents, but as if it was lent to you by your children." - Kenyan Proverb
"The power of accurate observation is often called cynicism by those that do not have it." - George Bernard Shaw
--------------------------------------------------------
