Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity
by Mina Shum
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Chang Tseng, Ric Young, Russell Yuen, Sandra Oh, Valerie TianDirector: Mina Shum
Brand: Repnet LLC
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); Cantonese (Original Language); English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 91 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-01-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Film Movement
Movie Reviews of Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity
Movie Review: An Enchanted Experience
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not the greatest, deepest film in the world, but it is immense fun. If anything, it reminds me of Shakespearian comedies such as A Midsummer Night's Dream, or the occasional magically whimsical European film such as King of Hearts. I saw it in theatre, knew nothing of what to expect (other than that I'd liked the Mina Shum / Sandra Oh team in "Double Happiness"), and was utterly enchanted. My only disappointment was that it was a 1-day run so I couldn't go back the next night.
Since Amazon doesn't provide a review or plot summary, I'll give what I can remember. Sandra Oh is Kin Ho Lum (gleaned from imdb; I don't know if her name is ever mentioned), a recently-divorced mother who has retreated to Vancouver's Chinese district where she washes dishes, studiously avoids involvement with men, and seems in general depressed and licking her wounds. Her 10'ish daughter Mindy (Valerie Tan, in a classic upstaging) is withdrawn and serious, trying to compensate for her vulnerability and powerlessness by turning to traditional Chinese magic, of a dimestore sort (equivalent to newspaper astrology columns vs. serious charts).
Mindy tries to use her magic to help many situations, from winning a lottery to bringing her mother and the nice guy she works with together, to finding a friend's lost turtle, but is disappointed when the magic doesn't seem to work. The camera, though, (and we) see that her spells and potions often do work but go hilariously astray, leading to much confusion. (The comparison to Midsummer Night's Dream was considered.)
Misplaced spell after misplaced spell stirs the pot, until in the end it is all sorted out with great panache and gaiety.
Oh's performance is good, bringing her usual edgy nuance to the role, and the ensemble cast is mostly quite good. But the true star is Valerie Tan with her owl-eyed, deadpan seriousness.
This film may not be to everyone's taste, but it certainly cast its spell over me.
Summary of Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity
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