Xingfu shiguang (2000)

Director:

Yimou Zhang

Writers:

Yan Mo (novel)
Gai Zi (writer)

Release Date:

31 December 2000 (China)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Plot:

Zhao is an aging bachelor who hasn't been lucky in love. Thinking he has finally met the woman of his dreams...

Plot Keywords:

Blind | Job Interview | Blindness | Girlfriend | Based On Novel

Awards:

3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Benshan Zhao	...	Zhao
Jie Dong	...	Wu Ying
Lifan Dong	...	Stepmother
Biao Fu	...	Little Fu
Xuejian Li	...	Li
Qibin Leng	...	Wu Ying's Stepbrother
Ben Niu	...	Old Niu
Jinghua Gong	...	Aunty Liu
Hongjie Zhang	...	Lao Zhang
Bingkun Zhao	...	Lao Bai
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Honglei Sun	...	Customer at 'Happy Times'

Also Known As:

Happy Times (UK) (USA)
Happy Time (International: English title)
Happy Times Hotel (UK) (DVD title)

Runtime:

102 min | China:95 min

Country:

China

Language:

Mandarin

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | Dolby SR

Certification:

Malaysia:U | South Korea:12 | Australia:PG | France:U | Germany:6 | Spain:13 | Sweden:7 | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

China

Company:

Guangxi Film Studio

Trivia:

Has two endings. The first, a shorter one, is not well received in its China screenings. Zhang Yimou subsequently shot a longer ending after its China release for international distribution.

The Masseuse

Yimau Zhang takes us along for a ride to explore how things seem to have changed in China. The country has given a step forward into the modern age as it shakes off its rigid past, adopting new ways in doing things. In fact, the country appears to have developed its own take on capitalism, as we watch a new prosperous, and aggressive China, transformed in ways we had not envisioned before. Mr. Zhang's film is an allegory about his country.

The main idea in the film is how Zhao, a factory worker, sets his eyes on a plump and attractive woman to get married. The woman, in turn, has her own ideas of what to expect from this man who lies to her and makes himself pass for a hotel manager. Thinking this is the case, the lady friend proposes he employs her stepdaughter, a blind girl that has been abandoned by her father, who has decamped to another city.

Zhao, who wants to keep the girlfriend happy, decides to take Wu Ying to work at his hotel, which in reality is a bus, that he and his buddy have converted in a lovers' motel, in a park. But before he can do anything, Zhao watches in horror as how some cleaning crews are taking his livelihood away because they are beautifying the area. Zhao is stuck with Wu Ying, so he takes her to his own humble apartment.

Zhao and his friends from the factory devise a plan to convert space in the dilapidated building a massage parlor so that the blind girl can work. The only thing, there are no clients, and only Zhao's friends are enrolled to tip the young woman using Zhao's own money.

The film is a delightful comedy about how being entrepreneurial backfires on the well intentioned man. The blind girl, Wu Ying, knows much more than what Zhao and the rest give her credit for, and unfortunately, everything ends badly, except for the blind girl, who recognizes the kindness of his mentor, who doesn't get to know first hand of her gratitude because fate intervenes.

"Happy Times" is a charming film that works thanks to the light touch by the director. Benshan Zhao, who has been seen in other Chinese films is excellent in the role of Zhao. Jie Dong plays Wu Ying with conviction and Lifan Dong, is the stepmother, who discovers the duplicity of her would be husband.

Recommended to all Yimou Zhang's fans who might have missed its commercial run.