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Reviews
Chang Vo Cua Em (2018)
Pleasantly surprised, excellent acting by Ms. Anh Dao
The My Mr. Wife movie was surprisingly well made by famed director Charlie Nguyen who previously and unfortunately flunk at the box office for Fanatic also played by Thai Hoa.
All the akwardly-pleasant funny scenes were with grace and meticulously calculated moderation. The story edges on cliche but managed to stay original and suspenseful... enough to keep me guessing until the near-end.
It's a heart-warming love story with a relatively fresh view (at least from what I know of Vietnam social climate and family structure) on woman and man role's in a relationship. Scenes of the world-class real estate business, the upscale apartment building, the old book store, dogs chasing after kids,...even simply running in the park for morning exercise fully and whole-heartedly captured the vibe, the imagination and the aspiration of Saigon.
A memorable cinematic experience that warms your heart and sets it free to yearn for more.
Mat biec (2019)
Epic love story in mesmerizing cinematography
Deep in the heart of human nature is the craving to be appreciated - William James.
And this love story rings true to that: the initial setting was in Do Do village where main character Ngan fell heads-over-heels for his class mate Ha Lan (played by Truc Anh) since grade school. The two enjoyed years together as close friends while Ngan kept hinting his love via caring and singing love song over his guitar... things started to drastic turn when Ha Lan went to the city for high school and Ngan followed suit. Ha Lan was overwhelmed with the city lights, the busy streets, the bars, etc... however Ngan's love for her endured and he continued to give... a childhood crush that spanned over three decades.... he did not change even when he had his chances of happiness without her.Love made him blind and he could not see the world changing? Or was he one stubborn SOB who refused to accept defeat? Who are we to judge? For me his insistence resonates with the idea that we are driven not only by our basic instincts but also by our desire to win love via our own virtue and to remain hopeful that one day we will be appreciated for the agonizing pain from selfless sacrifices we have made. Because love is not a zero-sum game and certainly not a commodity that can be bought... strong enough to overcome most irresistible temptation.
This begs the question of if Ngan character ever exists in reality. That's for each audience to decide!
Incredible cinematography and music scores can bring feeling to many highs and climaxes regardless of how familiar you are with Central Vietnam in the 1970's.
Tôi thay hoa vàng trên co xanh (2015)
A ticket to childhood
Most significant cinematography masterpiece from Victor Vu yet.
The movie is set in 1980's rural area of Vietnam and the story follows 12-year old Thieu, his 7-year old brother Tuong and Thieu's childhood crush Moon. The brothers do everything together, play in rice paddies, running errands, sleep on same bed...their days are filled with curious adventures. Then one day Moon comes into the picture and incites Thieu's insecurities and jealousy towards his brother Tuong who, by hid nature, is trusting and full of innocence. Even when Thieu inflicts physical harm to Tuong, the younger brother continues to idolize Thieu and constantly seeks his approval.
One could easily pick up that the movie is a string of small episodes involving the lives of these three characters in rural area where resources are scarce and that the welfare sometimes depends on the sacrifices made.
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Well-written script and outstanding acting
I must admit that I have been a fan of Woody Allen for many years and that his works in many way reflects the how we aspire to live. With beautiful settings in the early 1920's and late 1800's, the movie gives a cinematic taste what would a night-out be like (dancing, spirited dialogues, and perhaps an emphasis on creating of era-changing artworks). The message is clear: disliking the present leads to nostalgia; Allen did mention earlier in the movie " nostalgia is the denial of painful present". But how far- back can one go to find his/her "perfect" place/time to live life. Audience may be faced with choosing the story to be taking the short-cut (not braving to tackle present's challenges) or go along with a worry-free lifestyle that fame and fortune are not priorities.
Arts and not science, religion, nor even philosophy can provide some help as we "all fear death and question our place in the universe"; perhaps arts can salvage us from our own "despair and emptiness".
An Education (2009)
Extraordinary performance by Carey Mulligan but the story falls short
The parents' worst nightmare is perhaps that their sixteen-year-old daughter falls for an older man whose purpose is something short-term. The story in 1960s London begs the questions about why sacrificing all the fun in life pursuing something not remotely rewarding and in the end may not be as good. Carey Mulligan plays Jenny the 16-year-old school girl who enjoys fancy restaurants, classical concert, trip to Paris... basically everything a young girl would dream about growing up; all such luxuries come easily as Jenny starts a presumably romantic relationship with an older and rich man.
Jenny's quest to understand the meanings of education is universal. The audience would likely identify with the seemingly puzzling purpose of education: is it a means to an end or an end itself? The similar question would be: if you can honestly make plenty of money, why would you trouble with an education especially one from an established institution such as Oxford? Jenny speaks fluent French, learns Latin, recites perfectly Shakespeare... yet none of them seems matter if a lot of money suddenly becomes available. Her father quickly dismisses the idea of going to Oxford for an education and stresses that she will be "well taken care of" (by this older man).
Jenny is beautiful, youthful, smart, witty, and somewhat bored; so she perhaps sees David (the older man) as an escape from having to deal with uninteresting homework, immature male friend, and moderately controlling parents. Her situation seems in tune with high school girls who have look and brains yet want to know the "dark" side.
It is not uncommon, especially in Asian families living in the US, that getting an education is not for the sake of education but rather as a means to make a living; in fact, some have become good test takers as opposed to learning and studying to appreciate the human knowledge and to translate such knowledge it into daily lives and more importantly to affect positively lives of others.
The film is well-crafted in conversations especially ones lead by the father Jack( played by Alfred Moina)who is very opinionated on the purpose of education: so that, again, "(his daughter) will be taken care of"
Can sufficient amount of education surpass the human nature of seeking power and control? "An Education" provides little if any comfort to such human dilemma; I don't expect it too. I like the story simply because it may just be enough revive our commitment to education for the sake of education something money can never buy.
GN 2010