42/30
Composed by Fei Peng
Synopsis
This is the 3rd feature film after Xia Luo te fan nao (2015) and Xi hong shi shou fu (2018) in “Slinky Town Universe” by screenwriters and directors Da-Mo Peng and Fei Yan, with Teng Shen in the leading role. This is the 3rd feature film after Xia Luo te fan nao (2015) and Xi hong shi shou fu (2018) in “Slinky Town Universe” by screenwriters and directors Da-Mo Peng and Fei Yan, with Teng Shen in the leading role. I want to be the wind. Lyrics by Tian Tang.
Performer: Lu Xian Sen
My wife unexpectedly invited me to the latest Chinese comedy and I embarked on an experience that turned out to be quite a lengthy one! Ma Chenggang, the master of self-deprecating humor, presents The Truman Show, Chinese style! It seems he and directors Da-Mo Peng and Fei Yan were counting on us leaving our brains at the door and accepting child abuse as funny. The idea of "it's just a comedy, so don't take it too seriously" falls flat when an audience struggling with the hardships of life seeks a brief escape from its burdens for two hours.
The philosophy of "only through hard work can one become a master" has already claimed too many victims
The film has a whole host of creative flaws, but unfortunately viewers seem more captivated by the 4K images than any meaningful narrative structure. The story revolves around two hours of parents being deceitful while raising their child in a monitored open prison, and culminates in a rather cliched ending about fatherly love and duty. When all criticism and introspection is suppressed and the idea that "wealth equals fatherly value" permeates the film, we are left to think about how we face our reality when we leave the theater. One striking element is the alarming nature of Chinese parenting, where parents feel compelled to impose a rigorous education on their children in order to mold them into high achievers.
What about those less fortunate?
Is it realistic to expect everyone to succeed as a predator in a competitive society? Can one really ensure that one does not become prey oneself? The portrayal of the mother is reduced to little more than a womb and has no significant impact on the plot. Li Ma's portrayal of Chunlan was stylish, but her character had no impact on the progression of the plot.
Ultimately, this film comes across as a commercial comedy with no real social message
