What is the word for it? Hmm. AMAZING. All I can sum up is amazing. A creative, out of the norm comedy film that is fresh and absolutely smart on every level. Sell Out! can be describe as more of a genre- bending no proper specification of a comedy movie that works really well with the issues that are shown in the movie. Truly a remarkable Asian/Malaysian film one really really needs to sit and enjoy it all the way.
The movie revolves around Rafflesia Pong who is, well, a bitch-like TV host who has no regards whatsoever for people. Selfless and incredibly rude. She is trying to get a name for herself in a place she works called FONY (a parodied version of SONY I bet.) Tired of the lame job she was working as and the deterioration in her show's popularity, she tried putting up a new idea for a show that allows her to compete with her arch rival who seems to be grabbing more praise from the audiences then with Rafflesia. Aside from that, Eric, who's an aspiring project manager is getting the beating of his life while working at FONY too. He tries to give out the idea of a machine that can make 10-in-1 kind of soya related material. But his bosses keep preventing him from expanding such ideas for they are afraid that the benefits will go directly to Eric. Both characters are stuck in a situation that pretty much seems to push them down on to their knees and a learning the hard way of life as it is.
Now, first of all, the movie sets aside from all the other cliché parodies that are showing in cinemas worldwide. Sell Out! directly parodies our country's society and by God if u were to spend a whole life in Malaysia you'll understand what the director is trying to tell to audience. Poking fun on every action and behaviors that our people make Literally, it's still quite understandable to people from other countries too. On the other hand, obsession with reality TV shows that many people loves to watch in today's ever growing modern society were also shown. Another noteworthy is the parody of art house films from Malaysia which was notorious for its really slow paced shots and scenes that doesn't make sense to anyone. I guess it reflects the alternative cinema that Malaysian filmmakers are trying point out in their films. But in such a manner, their films sometime contains no meaning and going as far to say 'creating the definition of "nothing" ' in their films. One unusual mix in this movie is the music in this film. Catchy and tuneful, the musical moments help to bring up the scenes together with a breath of life to it. Lyrics reflects the tone for a situation but most of all the characters thoughts and feelings which I find it surprisingly fitted well with the thematic nature of the film. Praise for the acting must really go to all of the cast. Not one did a horrible job at all and great authenticity from the main actor and actress.
Okay. The flaws. Well Im not surprised. Not everything is perfect in life. Well I wanted to say I was a little a disappointed by the comedic timing of some the scenes there in the movie. Some scenes didn't very work well with the lines because it felt not engaging enough. And although I really enjoy some of the dialog, I couldn't feel any connection with some of the sarcasm they were telling to me. Films like this remind me a lot of the Hot Fuzz and Shaun of The Dead movies for parodying seriousness of movies which I find that it didn't suit my taste. So I guess its a matter of liking which style of parody it is.
Anyways, do not let down by my negative criticism I put in this review. Its still a well made comedy that is for sure to bring down the house. A loud applause for Yeo Joon Han. One of the better Malaysian works since Sepet. Can I call it a Masterpiece? Well that's up to you to decide. So...
7.9 out of 10 rating.
The movie revolves around Rafflesia Pong who is, well, a bitch-like TV host who has no regards whatsoever for people. Selfless and incredibly rude. She is trying to get a name for herself in a place she works called FONY (a parodied version of SONY I bet.) Tired of the lame job she was working as and the deterioration in her show's popularity, she tried putting up a new idea for a show that allows her to compete with her arch rival who seems to be grabbing more praise from the audiences then with Rafflesia. Aside from that, Eric, who's an aspiring project manager is getting the beating of his life while working at FONY too. He tries to give out the idea of a machine that can make 10-in-1 kind of soya related material. But his bosses keep preventing him from expanding such ideas for they are afraid that the benefits will go directly to Eric. Both characters are stuck in a situation that pretty much seems to push them down on to their knees and a learning the hard way of life as it is.
Now, first of all, the movie sets aside from all the other cliché parodies that are showing in cinemas worldwide. Sell Out! directly parodies our country's society and by God if u were to spend a whole life in Malaysia you'll understand what the director is trying to tell to audience. Poking fun on every action and behaviors that our people make Literally, it's still quite understandable to people from other countries too. On the other hand, obsession with reality TV shows that many people loves to watch in today's ever growing modern society were also shown. Another noteworthy is the parody of art house films from Malaysia which was notorious for its really slow paced shots and scenes that doesn't make sense to anyone. I guess it reflects the alternative cinema that Malaysian filmmakers are trying point out in their films. But in such a manner, their films sometime contains no meaning and going as far to say 'creating the definition of "nothing" ' in their films. One unusual mix in this movie is the music in this film. Catchy and tuneful, the musical moments help to bring up the scenes together with a breath of life to it. Lyrics reflects the tone for a situation but most of all the characters thoughts and feelings which I find it surprisingly fitted well with the thematic nature of the film. Praise for the acting must really go to all of the cast. Not one did a horrible job at all and great authenticity from the main actor and actress.
Okay. The flaws. Well Im not surprised. Not everything is perfect in life. Well I wanted to say I was a little a disappointed by the comedic timing of some the scenes there in the movie. Some scenes didn't very work well with the lines because it felt not engaging enough. And although I really enjoy some of the dialog, I couldn't feel any connection with some of the sarcasm they were telling to me. Films like this remind me a lot of the Hot Fuzz and Shaun of The Dead movies for parodying seriousness of movies which I find that it didn't suit my taste. So I guess its a matter of liking which style of parody it is.
Anyways, do not let down by my negative criticism I put in this review. Its still a well made comedy that is for sure to bring down the house. A loud applause for Yeo Joon Han. One of the better Malaysian works since Sepet. Can I call it a Masterpiece? Well that's up to you to decide. So...
7.9 out of 10 rating.