Happy Times
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Movie Reviews of Happy Times
Movie Review: System Failure
Summary: 5 Stars
Working, as he must, under the oppressive and watchful eye of the Chinese government, director Zhang Yimou trades in the currency of political allegory. "Happy Times" is a subtle yet powerful criticism of the Chinese system in the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution. The symbolism is overt but never heavy -handed. Tragedy is deftly combined with a humor that is both disarming and perverse. The result is an engaging film of rich texture and complex emotion.The film opens with aging bachelor Zhao (Zhao Benshan) in a discussion of marriage with an ample woman (Lihua Dong). Zhao, broke and unemployed, poses as a well-to-do businessman. As part of the deception he agrees to finance their lavish wedding. In order to raise the cash he refurbishes an abandoned bus to use as a for-rent retreat ("Happy Times Hotel") for passing young lovers. This is the first of the many absurd and futile efforts that characterize the film.
Zhao visits his girlfriend and meets not only her equally ample (and demanding) son, but also, in sharp contrast, the slight and blind stepdaughter, Wu (Jie Dong). The Stepmother succeeds in foisting the unwanted and mistreated Wu on Zhao, persuading him to give Wu a job at his "hotel". Wu is trained as a masseuse, and Zhao executes a comically elaborate scheme to deceive Wu into thinking that that she is, in fact, providing massages to wealthy businessmen in a grand hotel. The deception goes as far as compensating her with false bills fashioned from course paper.
The symbolism of fat and thin and the systematic deception of a blind girl may be offensive to western sensibilities, especially since there is some cruel humor associated with each. But this goes to the heart of the political allegory. Wu is blind and susceptible to being fooled, but she is ultimately no fool. The Stepmother, the promise of comfort for both Zhao and Wu, is a cold opportunist. Like the rulers and bureaucrats in Chinese system, she serves herself and delivers only to the privileged few.
The film's ending is a bitter irony. A well-intended deception becomes the ultimate exercise in futility. Tragedy strikes Zhao. Wu, aware of the deception all along, strikes out on her own. Each of them leaves behind a tender communication that will never reach the intended recipient. The absurd machinations of the ill-conceived Chinese system, even if well intended, are ultimately empty gestures that fail to provide. Though blind, Wu sees clearly that it is time to move on.
Movie Review: Another decent Yimou's work
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a story about ordinary folks. It may seem unreal as a whole but it's not hard find every single person in the real life. How many movies are completely real stories? So put them together to make a drama which also looks like comedy and a little tragedy (for the teenage girl who is definitely not 18 as she told and has to leave those who showed care and love on her and and for Zhao who was blamed as a liar and lost his "love" again and was injurred by an unneccessary accident).
Unlike some other Yimou's moveis, this movie was not focusing on the poverty but on love. An unemployeed (his factory was half closed and had no pay to give out)old man Zhao seeked love and did his best he could to make his new date happy. The fat woman turned out to be a savvy gold digger type and took advantage of his love to let him to help her dump her untanted blind stepdaughter. While trying hard, with his scarce money, to please his date Zhao had to take care of the blind girl who had been abandoned by her stepmother and was neglected by her biological father. Troubled by lacking of money, Zhao and his fellow workers set up a fake massage parlor to "hire" the girl to do the only thing she can do. They even gave real tips to the girl though they themself were all not rich, even poor. But this could not last long so they decide to give paper as money to make her stay to avoid her dangerous leaving-out. The fat woman kicked Zhao out after her new lover (seemed to be the girl's father who seemed to have made a lot of money but did not show sign to find her daughter and cure her eye) came back and blamed Zhao as a liar. Yes Zhao lied to her about his fake hotel and finacial situation but not about his love to her. The girl also found out the massage parlor was fake and the later paper money were fake but she did not feel being deceived but felt being loved by those unknown folks who are not her father and stepmother. Not wanting to add more burden to these nice guys the girl left secretly, not even waitng for anotehr fake letter from her father. Probably she knew her father did not even care about her. Like she said her happies times were those while she were with Zhao and his fellow workers. The whole story was smoothly told and was toutchng. Every single person has his or her unique characters through out the whole movie, making it real life like and vivid. It's hard to find this kind stylish movies in Hollywood.
Movie Review: The effects of deception
Summary: 5 Stars
Zhang Yimou is known for creating and directing what is dubbed, the greatest show on earth, the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The event was the most talked about opening act ever. As a director, his most popular movies include Ju Dou, Raise the Red Lantern , Not One Less and Red Sorghum . He is arguably known as one of China's best movie directors.
Happy Times is a wonderful, humorous and moving story. No it is not rolling on the floor funny, but it has very humorous and yet touching moments.
An aging factory worker Zhao set to marry an amply sized woman. His marriage intended has an overweight young son and an 18 year-old blind stepdaughter who is treated poorly at home. Stepmother believes a deceiving story that Zhao owns a hotel and she insists upon dumping the girl on him to work.
It is here that deception occurs as Zhao and his retired mates attempt to recreate a room in an abandoned soon-to-be-destroyed warehouse. In this room, Wu will give massages and be paid with fake money. The deception continues and soon another twist changes the course of the path.
Some might feel this movie is not a comedy; but yes, it is certainly with its humorous moments. It is saddened at times, and yet moving. I see it as the varying effects of deception. To his intended wife, Zhao deceives and this deception leads to more deception, to the 18 year-old blind girl. One can't win though deception, but see what happens in this case. The film is colorful and it takes place in the city with noisy traffic and people milling around. ... Great classic film, moving story, wonderful acting. For a wonderful bittersweet and tender Yimou film, with magnificent landscaping in China unknown to many, try Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles.....Rizzo
Movie Review: Perfect
Summary: 5 Stars
-I've long been a film buff - my favorite films tend to be artsy and rather pedantic. Because of this, my family generally doesn't like to sit with me and watch movies.
So, when I started "Happy Times" last night, I thought they'd gradually wander off and find something else to do.
But, they were enthralled! This movie is the perfect balancing act between comedy, drama, and the enduring love we feel for those who have touched us in a special way.
This is a great, great movie.
Too many Americans shun foreign films. This is one they shouldn't miss. When the movie ended, my oldest son turned to me and said, "Wow. I think Hollywood has forgotten how to make movies like this!"
American filmmakers seem to think they have to descend to the baser instincts in order to make "adult" movies.
Yet, "Happy Times" - and countless other foreign films - never seem to sink to this level. These films are always excellent.
I think the issue is that Hollywood has forgotten how to write a good story; they've forgotten that basic human values can be enduring, can be entertaining, if only they would jettison their cynical baggage.
"Happy Times" will make you laugh and cry, smile and reflect with pride on the better angels of our nature.
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Movie Review: Description from Pressman - opening 5/2002
Summary: 5 Stars
Happy Times is a small but broad Chinese language comedy about human nature when it comes to love and the pursuit of happiness. Middle-aged Ding Shikou visits a matchmaker to find a wife. Finally, she sends him the perfect one. Desperate to impress her, Ding promises her a far more extravagant wedding than he can afford, leading her to believe he is rich. Then desperate, to make money, Ding refurbishes an abandoned railway car on Lover's Lane and charges admission for young couples wandering by. Up in the woods, he discovers a young blind girl who's just attempted suicide. He saves her life this time only to witness her attempt again. She tells him she wouldn't be so desperate if she had a job, so he offers one at his hotel, in hopes of re-instilling the will to live in her. Ding tells her a tangled and hilarious mess of lies in order to employ her. He even has a group of old retirees create a fake hotel environment in an abandoned factory, so she believes she has a legitimate job. Finally, he must tell her the truth and come clean to his fiancée, which turns out to be both a heartbreaking and hilarious life lesson for all involved. Acclaimed Chinese director Zhang Yimou (Not One Less, Raise the Red Lantern, To Live) will direct the film.