Xiaohai bu ben (2002)

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Jack Neo

Writers:

Jack Neo (screenplay)
Jack Neo (story)

Release Date:

9 February 2002 (Singapore)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Plot:

Kok Pin, Boon Hock and Terry are classmates in "EM3" stream. In Singapore, that means that at the age of 12...

Plot Keywords:

Breaking The Fourth Wall | Advertising | Business | Young Boy | Office Politics

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Jack Neo	...	Mr. Liu
Yun Xiang	...	Mrs. Liu
Richard Low	...	Mr. Khoo
Selena Tan	...	Mrs. Khoo
Po Ju Huang	...	Terry Khoo
Shawn Lee	...	Liu Kok Pin
Joshua Ang	...	Ang Boon Hock
Cheryl Chan	...	Selena Khoo
Su-Ru Wen	...	Ms. Lee
Xian Bin Zheng	...	Ang Tiong Meng
Kwee-hiok Lim	...	Tiong Meng's mother
Choi Yeng Wong	...	Boon Hock's mother
Sally Ong	...	Ms. Lim
Wai Ying Wang	...	Ms. Choo
Bing Chee	...	Chinese Teacher

Also Known As:

I Not Stupid (International: English title)

Runtime:

105 min | Japan:108 min

Country:

Singapore

Language:

English | Mandarin | Hokkien

Color:

Color

Certification:

Philippines:G | USA:PG | Malaysia:U | Hong Kong:I | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Singapore

Company:

Mediacorp Raintree Pictures

Goofs:

Factual errors: At one point, someone says that "Chinese New Year is coming soon" (the date of Chinese New Year varies, but it is always in January or February), but later Jerry Khoo receives a text message and says that "terrorists flew a plane into the tallest building in the US" (September 11, 2001). Since Chinese New Year occurs at the end of the movie, perhaps the filmmakers added the second line as a memorial to 9/11 but forgot that it was the wrong time of year in the movie.

Movie Connections:

Followed by Xiaohai bu ben 2 (2006)

Best. South-East Asian Family Flick. Ever.

Honestly, as a student in Malaysia, this movie is one of the best to come out in South-East Asia targeted for the family audience. As someone who's spent a good chunk of his life in Singapore, and subjected to similar pressures in Malaysian schools, I can greatly identify with much in the film. The shame of being considered "stupid" is one I know and understand, and yet there is also much to keep parents preoccupied with, especially those living on both sides of the Causeway, such as the idea of Caucasian superiority, the behaviour of the Singaporean government, etc.

It has been argued that much of Terry's narration is unnecessary, especially his explanation of the Mrs. Khoo - Singaporean government analogy. However, I think this is an artistic thing done to reflect Terry's simple-mindedness, as well as for the benefit of International audiences.

If you live in South-East Asia, give this movie a go. You most likely won't regret it.

10/10