Happy Times
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Movie Reviews of Happy Times
Movie Review: A wonderful but underappreciated film.
Summary: 5 Stars
As a longtime fan of director Zhang Yimou, I was surprised to see him change directions with 1998's Not One Less. After watching his four most recent films (Not One Less, The Road Home, Happy Times and Hero), I can say with assurance that Zhang Yimou is not changing directions but branching out. He can direct almost anything. I've always appreciated movies that had both comedy and drama and defied categorization. Too bad Blockbuster can easy categorize this film under "Foreign." Happy Times starts off lighthearted and easily amusing, but becomes more complicated as it progresses. I can compare this movie to a more well-known and more controversial one, Roberto Benigni's Life is Beautiful. Happy Times is not striking like Zhang Yimou's earlier films, but it is more heartfelt. It's less artsy so it can be enjoyed by almost anyone. Note: The Chinese and American versions of this film have different endings. I can't advise you on which one to see since they are practically equal in degree of happiness or sadness. I would say the difference between them is like the difference between the two separate endings of Dickens' Great Expectations.Movie Review: 5-Stars for Happy Times
Summary: 5 Stars
The only reason I watched this film was because Zhang Yimou directed it. That's the respect I have for him as a director in this industry. At first blush, I thought that "Happy Times" was going to be a shallow, corny type of movie. I couldn't have been more mistaken. While there are more light-hearted moments than in Yimou's other works, "Happy Times" gives glimpse into the lives of common Chinese people and a much more penetrating and uplifting look into the human heart and human spirit.
From the reviews you should already know that "Happy Times" is about an aging Chinese man trying to court a potential wife. He tries to persuade her by pretending to be something he is not - the general manager of a luxury hotel. But in the process he finds himself taking responsiblity for the woman's blind stepdaughter. How this all works out in the end is something you just have to see for yourself. Trust me, it is an exquisite Zhang Yimou finish.
I am not at all familiar with the actors but they were all wonderful. In particular, actress Dong Jie gives a heartbreakingly eloquent performance as the blind stepdaughter.
Movie Review: Don't be fooled by the cover
Summary: 5 Stars
I almost didn't rent this movie-because--quite simply--I thought the cover picture held promises of a silly little movie--good for maybe a few "chunky mama" jokes--boy was I wrong--this is one of the better movies I've seen recently. The movie does begin along the lines of what I expected-as Zhao creates his "Happy Times Hotel"-and there is a bit of humor--but once he begins his relationship with Ying--the story progresses into a dramatic touching relationship between the two outcasts--young blind Ying and middle aged, never married Zhao. Their relationship is not a romantic one--but a paternal one-with Zhao writing a fake letter to Ying from her father who abandoned her--among other things.
The ending is not the happy, feel good ending typical of American movies--which is probably one of the things that makes it stand out.
The movie is subtitled-which I have no problem with--but my wife doesn't normally like subtitled movies--but she loved this one. If you don't care for subtitles--give this one a try anyway--it's worth the little extra effort!
Movie Review: Yimou's best.
Summary: 5 Stars
I really don't care for some of Yimou Zang's films that other people seem to love. Hero and House of the Flying Daggers are really great visual masterpieces, but to me they seem rather silly and unrealistic on many levels (not just technical).
However, I really love his other films dealing with ordinary people in realistic settings. Among them, Happy Times is by far the best.
This movie's central theme is about one person lying to another to bring him/her joy and meaning in existence. It is the act of deception that somehow gets turned into a great expression of love. That is an amazing thing to capture.
The actors are just perfect, especially the two leads. The girl playing the blind actress made the best performance I've seen ever.
If you like this movie, check out Shanghai Triad and Keep Cool.
Movie Review: A wonderful story of transition and hope...
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is the first work I have viewed of Director, Zhang Yimou.
It is a wonderful story of hope and love. It also shows the contrast of a person raised during China's total embrace of communism and how he copes both morally and emotionally with Chinese communism's embrace of the free market. It is a story of love and hope. An umemployed factory worker and a blind 18 year old are the heroes of this movie. Simply, it is a lovely film and viewing it you will feel better about people. Watch out Hollywood, Chinese cinema is no longer just Kung Fu movies. Director Zhang Yimou knows how to tell a story, without off color language or gratuitous sex scenes. Only goes to show you a good script transcends all language barriers.