I was unexpectedly invited by my wife to see the latest Chinese comedy, and I settled in for what turned out to be quite a lengthy experience!
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 anticipated that we would check our brains at the door and accept a child-abuse as funny. The notion of "It's just a comedy, so don't take it too seriously" falls flat when an audience grappling with life's hardships seeks a brief escape from their burdens for two hours. The film showcases a fair amount of creative shortcomings, yet sadly, viewers seem more captivated by the 4K visuals than by any meaningful narrative structure. The story revolves around two hours of parents deceiving while raising their child in a Monitored Open Prison, culminating in a rather clichéd ending centered on the father's love and duty. When all critique and introspection are suppressed, and the idea that "wealth equates to paternal worth" permeates the film, we must ponder how to confront our realities once we leave the theater.
One striking element is the alarming nature of Chinese-style education, where parents feel compelled to impose rigorous training on their children to mold them into achievers. The philosophy of "Only through hardship can one become a master" has already claimed too many victims. What about those who are less fortunate? Is it realistic to expect everyone to thrive as predators in a competitive society? Can you truly ensure that you won't be the prey?
The portrayal of the mother is reduced to little more than a womb, lacking any significant influence on the storyline. Li Ma's performance as Chunlan was stylish, yet her character had no impact on the plot's progression. Ultimately, this film feels like a commercial comedy creation with no real social message value.
