Happy Times Review
Known for his intense period pieces, director Zhang_Yimou takes a turn toward modern-day China in the touching comedy drama Happy Times. Shot around the port city of Dalian, Yimou uses hidden cameras to capture some of the natural bustling street life in some of the wide outdoor scenes. Moving rapidly into advanced consumer capitalism, the city is a very lively and conflicting backdrop for the old-fashioned DIY ethics of lovable protagonist Zhao (Zhao_Benshan). With his graying hair and pot belly, Zhao attempts to hide his sincerity with a manic speaking style and package of lies. However, his honest sense of human decency shines through the surface-level deception. Some of the comedy might not work for Western audiences who have clearly lost something in the translation, but the inspiring final reel makes up for whatever jokes could have preceded it. A true Yimou heroine, the graceful Dong Jie makes an impressive acting debut as Wu Ying, whose fragile nature is strengthened by the film's conclusion. Although it's not nearly as ambitious as his other work, Happy Times is a laid-back comedy with a creative plot and plenty of character quirks. The haphazard urban imagery is valuable, but it's the humanity at the center that's likely to have a lasting effect. Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
Great Film Moments:
- In Theaters
- This Week
- Coming Soon
- New on DVD
Browse More Movies:
