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Tropical Fish

Original title: Re dai yu
  • 19951995
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
516
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
129,265
6,733
Tropical Fish (1995)
ComedyDrama
Young boy, Ah-Jiang, a school failure and day dreamer witnesses the kidnapping of a child. After being taken hostage by a corrupt family, he begins an unusual adventure away from home.Young boy, Ah-Jiang, a school failure and day dreamer witnesses the kidnapping of a child. After being taken hostage by a corrupt family, he begins an unusual adventure away from home.Young boy, Ah-Jiang, a school failure and day dreamer witnesses the kidnapping of a child. After being taken hostage by a corrupt family, he begins an unusual adventure away from home.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
516
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
129,265
6,733
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Yu-Hsun Chen
    • Writer
      • Yu-Hsun Chen
    • Stars
      • Akio Chen
      • Yi-fan Chen
      • Hsiao-fan Fan
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Yu-Hsun Chen
    • Writer
      • Yu-Hsun Chen
    • Stars
      • Akio Chen
      • Yi-fan Chen
      • Hsiao-fan Fan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 4 nominations

    Photos9

    Tropical Fish (1995)
    Tropical Fish (1995)
    Tropical Fish (1995)
    Tropical Fish (1995)
    Tropical Fish (1995)
    Tropical Fish (1995)
    Tropical Fish (1995)
    Tropical Fish (1995)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Akio Chen
    Akio Chen
    Yi-fan Chen
    Hsiao-fan Fan
    Hsiao-fan Fan
    Pi-tung Lien
    Cheng-sheng Lin
    Cheng-sheng Lin
    Ching-Luen Shi
    Ching-Luen Shi
    Wen-Ying
    Wen-Ying
    • Director
      • Yu-Hsun Chen
    • Writer
      • Yu-Hsun Chen
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Connections
      Featured in Murmur of Youth (1997)

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    Taiwanese gem from new talent
    Having seen quite a few Taiwanese movies, I was interested in seeing how the films of the director Chen Yuxun compared to those of Tsai Mingliang or Hou Xiaoxian. 'Tropical Fish' compares rather favorably. It is much lighter than the works of his elders, and is very funny in places, though in no way a shallow, predictable potboiler.

    The plot, without giving too much away, deals with a mediocre student about to face national exams, who is caught up in a kidnapping. Needless to say, the kidnapping does not quite work out as planned.

    The impending exams loom large as the story progresses in a way that is both humorous and perhaps also critical of how these tests are of such paramount importance in determining education and career possibilities. There also seems to be some contrasting of Mandarin speakers and Taiwanese speakers which follows class distinctions quite closely. I quite enjoyed hearing Taiwanese spoken in such an earthy and piquant style. I hope Taiwanese directors continue to support its use.

    The plot moves forward in a controlled manner, avoiding predictability, and (with a few musical interludes) towards a quite satisfying conclusion.

    Having just the right mix of humour and social reality, I really enjoyed this one, and am looking forward to seeing the director's next film, Love Go Go.
    helpful•8
    0
    • gmwhite
    • Dec 4, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 1, 1995 (Taiwan)
    • Country of origin
      • Taiwan
    • Languages
      • Min Nan
      • Mandarin
    • Also known as
      • 熱帶魚
    • Production company
      • Central Motion Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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