Mei man ren sheng (2006) User Reviews

A tear-jerking drama which presents vastly different meanings to different viewers.

[goh_wz · 8/10 · 6 November 2006]

Singapore Dreaming strikes one as uniquely Singaporean. The opening of the film greets viewers with cut scenes of the Singapore heartlander's life, at HDB flats, at coffeeshops and at the market as Bong Chun Hong plays in the background. Subsequently, a parent chastises her son for scoring 95 for spelling while a classmate scored 100. The radio reports of a case of maid abuse. Even the wake is held Singapore-style in one of the HDB multi-purpose halls.

The local movie produced by Woo Yen Yen and Colin Goh centres around the Loh family of six, each with different aspirations. Yet, realities of life leave the younger generation disappointed. Through extensive characterisation, the movie shows how each of them are carried to breaking point, and how $1.2 million brought relief to some, but not all.

The film would probably present vastly different meanings to different viewers. To foreigners, it serves as a primer to Singaporean lifestyle and culture, and very effectively indeed. To Singaporeans who can relate to the characters, it would probably be an emotional piece of work (as it was to me), gripping the audience through the trials and tribulations of the characters, making them feel for the Lohs.

Particularly curious was how the conflict in the movie was partially resolved. When all came crashing down on them—be it their livelihood, their relationship, the perfect family they coveted—money, although no panacea, presented hope. Thus, the movie was subtly telling of money's unique role in modern Singapore society.

Walk into the theatre while the movie remains in cinemas; Singapore Dreaming will let you know, and let you feel.

Laugh and Tears of Singapore Family

[vincent_gunady · 8/10 · 12 September 2006]

I go to watch this movie with expectation to see how is the live of Singapore family. I am not a Singaporean, but already stay in Singapore for certain time, I enjoy living in this country. I haven't watched too many Singapore Movies before, but I like some local Singapore movies, like I Not Stupid, it can really portray what is Singaporean all about at a certain level. Well, Singapore Dreaming, bring another picture of real life in Singapore at some level higher. The plot is arranged nicely and realistic to explore social problem and 5C-dreams of mid-life crisis man with his family, with humor here and there. (5C = Cash, Credit Card, Car, Condo and Country Club). Every actor and actress plays their part very well, especially Richard Low as another role as a sharp-tongue hokkien. Along the movie, you will laugh at some common Singlish and Hokkien dialogs, but at the same time, you will see strong and touching message about life and hope. I cannot say this is the best Singapore movie since I have just watched several of them, but it will be one of my favorite movie. Very Recommended.

At last, a realistic portrayal of life in Singapore

[lims_home · 8/10 · 3 September 2006]

I thought this was the best movie coming out of Singapore that I've seen. I define "best" not in the arty cultural way of Be With Me (which I found really boring, especially the second half). There was no pretentiousness. At the same time, the "typical Singaporean" family is shown to be multi-faceted. The stereotypes are not drawn out like in some of Jack Neo's movies. What was most impressive was the spoken language. It was absolutely authentic. Singlish and mixed languages (English, Mandarin, Hokkien) were used throughout, but not through exaggerated accents. The acting was great from all the lead actors; and there was even a guy from the funeral parlour who was a great amusement.

A Nutshell Review: Singapore Dreaming

[DICK STEEL · 10/10 · 15 April 2006]

I think this local film is just plain brilliant, and the most accessible one to date, one that has potential to appeal to almost every spectrum of local society, and cinema-goers. It's adult storytelling laced with well placed humor, tackling mature themes and providing a snapshot of your atypical heartland family of four, their goals, dreams, desires and challenges.

Richard Low plays the patriarch of the Loh family, an elderly "lao beng" man whose family is getting together to celebrate the return of his son from overseas study. Like any typical housewife, mum Siew Luan (Alice Lim) holds and takes care of the family but is usually taken for granted. Being the only graduate, Seng (Dick Su) carries the family's hopes of making it big, although he in turn carries with him the albatross of having to live up to expectations, and to repay debts of his father and of his live-in girlfriend Irene (Serene Chen), who have used their savings to send him overseas. Then there is Mei Loh (Yeo Yann Yann), the capable secretary but overlooked-by-family who's expecting their first child with husband CK (Lim Yu Beng), an ex-army regular turned insurance agent (what else?) But when we start to scratch and chip away at the family's surface, we see plenty of dirt beneath the seemingly happy exterior. We revisit the usual 5Cs preoccupation that most Singaporeans possess, in a refreshing look at the haves and the have nots. Those with power, and those that do not. It's not told in the satirical way that Talking Cock the movie did, but not to worry, humor still sneaked its way into this family drama.

There are topical issues covered in the movie, things like expectations and managing your bosses, of the value of the overseas degree, of striking lottery and the headaches that come with it, of family relations, of domestic maids and misconceptions and prejudices, and even China girls who work as beer maids. Most of the striking conversations were held over tables - the dinner table with family, the mahjong table during funerals, but perhaps the one that stood out was the one at the coffee-shop, where we were generally ribbed with being whiners who complain a lot, but do nothing to attempt to escape our predicament. Fuel for thought, in contrast to those who have no choice, but looking on the brighter side of their lack of choice as still a form of means to achieving their goals.

At the end of the day, just like the characters, you'll probably ask, just what is the Singapore dream? And more importantly, what's yours? Do you dare go down the road less traveled, or would you prefer to give up your aspirations for the well trodden path, or blindly follow the sole collection of material wealth to keep up with the Joneses? The performances by the casts were convincingly enjoyable, and the characters are layered with much character development, those whom you would actually care about. Especially Richard Low's, who seemed to have cornered the performance of your hokkien speaking elderly ah-beng man with little education. The cinematography is beautiful too, capturing in essence many daily aspects of a heart-lander's life. If Singapore GaGa showcases the aural, then Singapore Dreaming showcases the visual.

There are some minor bloopers though, but thankfully only spotted in the beginning of the movie with some continuity errors (like Yu Beng's coffee stained shirt). Not sure if the later scenes did contain any more, because I was completely absorbed by the plot to notice the little nitty gritties. The dialog's mainly in Hokkien and Singlish, but there are both (proper) English and Mandarin subtitles for non-Singlish/Hokkien speakers to follow. I think this is a good strategy to adopt to make the dialog believable - most Singaporeans don't speak proper English, at least not in casual conversation, and somehow polished English spoken by locals on screen nearly always gave you that contrived feeling. Here, the dialog and conversation score.

I'd highly recommend this drama when it begins its commercial theatrical run, scheduled sometime in August this year. Two thumbs up from me, and is in contention for my movie of the year! If you still have not forayed into watching local films in the theaters, don't you dare miss this good opportunity to do so!

A movie every Singaporean should be able to identify with. A must watch.

[themovieclub · 8/10 · 16 September 2006]

Singapore Dreaming is the most personal movie I watched in 2006.

I was pretty excited to catch it as it starred my colleague Serene (who just gave birth to beautiful baby Ella) and Yann Yann, whom I think is one of the finest actresses in Singapore. I first came in contact with Yann Yann years back when she was a tenant at my uncle's flat ,and then invited her to star in my first short film project The Last Flight of the Red Butterflies. She captured the essence and soul of the movie really well.

Back to the story, it is a story about a Singaporean family with dreams and aspirations. After the old man wins lottery, they struggle hard to find the true meanings of their dreams. Every character has a story, one you may see around you.

While Jack Neo has directed many movies which tried to weave in social commentary, they lack in terms of artistic merits and scripting (no offence). Beautifully filmed and well casted, Singapore Dreaming is a product that every Singaporean should be proud of.

Directed by husband and wife team Colin Goh and Wu Yen Yen, it digs where it supposed to, being funny, touching, realistic and reflective all at the same time. I managed to catch up with them days before and thought they were a sincere pair who would work well together (http://www.rp.sg/articles/20060824001.asp).

The first thing I messaged Collin was the story reminded me of my own family. Dick Su who played an IT graduate shared the same name as my brother Ah Seng. who also happened to be an overseas graduate. The last dialogue by the mother drove tears, which reminded me of my mother who never really got to sing as well.

Singapore Dreaming could very well be your story. What they need is your support now. (Incidentally, if you are watching the movie, buy liang the in to drink. It will make a difference. Trust me.)

The 5Cs - Cogent, Cognizant film with Class and done in Chastening Cerise

[stephen_thanabalan_fans · 9/10 · 18 April 2006]

Singapore Dreaming has all the 5Cs (its original title), and more. The 5Cs, in no particular order, that emanate from this gem of a social commentary on the island state and its average family in its heartland (the electorate majority in the concrete jungle), are that it is cogent, cognizant of all it portrays- even though it boasted of a foreign film crew from New York, and is both classy in its cynical presentation of the palpable realities of its characters, as well as ostensibly complete in fulfilling this very portrayal. However, more than anything, the film is destined if not designed, to chasten the audiences in an intensely cerise and garish rendition of the challenges and harsh realities of life in the island nation.

That's 5 stars of approval for a film about the land of the 5 stars and crescent moon and its cultural obsession with materialism, albeit tragically so, and these very 5Cs. For those outside of Singapore, the 5Cs pertain to possessions labelled 'Cash, Credit Cards, Condominiums, Cars, etc', all litmus tests of status and wealth that are tremendously valued in the nation. It is apt that some in the nation mention a sixth C, vis a vis its new found quest for vanity in the 2000s, 'Cosmetic Surgery', and hence it is ironic that the film is financed and produced by arguably Singapore's finest cosmetic surgeon, Dr Woffles Wu. In fact, if one were to take an honest retrospect, when Singaporean web author (TalkingCock.com) and former lawyer turned film maker Colin Goh and wife Yen Yen took on this project with a mind towards putting forth a genuine social commentary, few would have taken the cadre of the pair and their team seriously given the latter's last film outing was tacitly Singapore's worst film export in its short film history, the awry aberration, "Talking Cock the movie".

But, Singapore Dreaming, lock stock and barrel, is an amazing breakaway from the banality of Goh's previous film. In fact, he may well and truly be finally able to shed the fiasco of that piece of work now that this film has emerged, and since this work will most certainly etch itself into Singapore's mainstay as a classic in the months and years ahead. A tale about an average family dealing with the mores of their cultural identities, as well as their racial (and hence religious) allegiances, amid the cutthroat world of Singapore's rat race, the film has presumably every Singaporean stereotype, even if it does focus on the lives of the majority race, the Chinese Singaporeans. The elderly 'Ah Beng' (larrikin to us Aussies) is a central character played by Richard Low, a cynic who is a recipient of the disparate wealth status divide in the nation, where his disappointments from failed ambition send him into depression and envy. It takes a local to understand the humour in the film, but essentially its when themes arise of Low's character's interaction as he wins the lottery, and goes about a new life that add a tinge of black humour to proceedings. Goh takes the chance to toss in inside jokes about language barriers even amongst the local Chinese and their more western compatriots, and discusses what seems to be many Singaporean nuances and idiosyncrasies. Yet, you don't have to be Singaporean to realize that the core of the themes that underscore this poignant plot here essentially ring of moving tragedy about up-keeping the status quo, chasing vanity and empty dreams, hollow fulfillment in materialistic goals, as well as issues of loss, love and redemption.

If nothing else, the technical work for this film alone is quite simply one of the more outstanding end products I've seen for a film out of the country, even with works that have featured in Cannes or Berlinale over the years by their directors like Eric Khoo. Singapore Dreaming is the first local film to have a production crew that boasts an international claim to fame, and I'm not writing this because my good friend Kao Wen Sheng was a photographer on the set. Its DoP, Martina Radwan, had previously shot "Ferry Tales (2003)" which was nominated for an Oscar in 2004, while film editor Rachel Kittner's work was nominated for an Academy award this year. It is well worth its place as curtain opener for the 19th Singapore International Film Festival.

It's alright

[vondotcom · 3/10 · 25 September 2006]

I've just watched the movie this afternoon. I felt pretty much cheated into the movie, it is a alright movie. Maybe people who are trying to understand how tough life could be in singapore might find it great to watch it. However, personally i felt that the movie was overly predictable, right from the start you kinda know what ending it will give you and by having Richard winning the TOTO it's such a easy give away, not impactful enough for me at least.

Things just fall into place too easily so that cause the conflict to be seen only in the surface, not deep enough to make it believable. However, i thought the character "Mei" was quite well played, i feel for the character, the struggles that she is facing and the pain she felt.

5Cs- the depth in life

[dangao_lysl · 8/10 · 15 September 2006]

Coming from the island nation, the film executes a poignant, familiar yet deep maturity of our people. Being a local, it is especially refreshing to perceive a film that reflects how materialistic pursuits can sometimes lead to greater regret and multiple loss. As locals, we've all breathed the endless pursuit of the 5Cs so expounded in the film, yet, do we ever stop to wonder where these dreams will take us? It portrays a message of change, of growth and of closure in humans. Life in our society tends to force us to move on quickly, but by so doing, we leave behind much of our past, only to resurface negatively in the future. Several local films tend to leave an open door for future discussion, but this film has brought the internal emotions into a closure- for both the parents or the children. It speaks of resolution and change for the future, yet a desire to hold on to our roots or our past.

Both Colin Goh and Woo Yen Yen have remained true to the characters, despite the different circumstances; and it is indeed beautiful to observe how this will appeal tremendously to the local man-on-the-street. The local set, the liberal use of dialect, the dramatic camera angles; as well as the perfect diction of all characters also contribute to enable Singapore Dreaming truly a film whereby anyone can enjoy- without pondering too deeply.

Singapore Dreaming also seems to quietly reflect the crossover ease from drama to screen as well; allowing viewers to accept this film as one of the matured films from Singapore.

A really good movie

[cobratriangle · 10/10 · 30 April 2007]

Just saw this tonight at the SFIFF. The content and style of the film reminds me very much of Edward Yang's "YiYi". There are also some outright similarities (a character who is into photography, an old grandmother who is in a state, a financially irresponsible younger male sibling of the family...) but all in all this movie stands up on its own. The movie (for me anyway) got better as it went along. The materialism that serves as the yardstick of one's worth in life is a problem everywhere, not just in Singapore and that's what makes this feature universal (along with the tumultuous familial happenings.) All in all, definitely worth your time.

A Family Dynamic

[crossbow0106 · 9/10 · 10 August 2009]

Once I started watching, I was hooked on this story about a family and the things that happen to them. Seng is the son who gets a degree in the U.S. and is now coming back home to Singapore. The mom does not speak English, the father is obsessed with winning the lottery and daughter, Seng's sister, Mei berates her life insurance salesman husband C.K. for being kind of a failure. The best character, however, is Seng's long suffering girlfriend Irene, who thinks Seng will now marry her since with a degree from America he can get a high paying job. You'll see how money changes things, but what you're mostly seeing is a real life depiction of a family's interaction with each other. The story, while heavily dramatic, moves well and the acting is good throughout. For drama lovers, this is well worth your time.

Singapore Dreaming, a powerful film

[fistjedi · 8/10 · 1 January 2009]

*Spoilers* The film centers around a Singaporian working class family who have dreams of living a better life. You got a mom, dad, worthless brother and hard working married daughter. The dad clips out of the newspaper clippings that depict swimming pools, flashy cars and the like as well as purchases lottery tickets in the hopes of striking it big. Mom's an old school homemaker who isn't sure of her role in her children's lives, but loves them anyway.

The brother just got back from the U.S. after attending school for an IT degree(and not finishing), but has been bumming money off of his parents for years. The brother's girlfriend also has been loaning him money and patiently waiting for him to marry her. And the daughter is pregnant and married, working hard just to stay afloat. She feels neglected by her parents, who fawn over the brother and worries about her husband's insurance selling job not working out. The daughter is also an overworked and under-appreciated secretary. They worry about money every day. Then the dad does the impossible and wins the lottery. After that, everything begins to unravel. The whole family is so concerned with saving face and keeping pace that it's only sad.

*End spoilers* The film touches on many themes that are universal to all human beings everywhere. For one, it talks about how the pursuit of materialism hurts otherwise stable families who feel like they have to keep up with the Joneses to survive, instead of being happy with what they have. Also, it dealt with people who floss (this can be anyone of any race living in any neighborhood, folks). What I mean by flossing is folks who are more concerned about looking good right now with the nice car, expensive clothes and the outward trappings of success than they are of preparing for the future financially. You see this when members of the family spend more than what they have on a funeral in order to put the deceased away nicely, or the dropout son buying an expensive car, or even the dad getting 5 credit cards before making sure that the lottery money is in his account.

This film reminds us about how money (or even the promise of it) can change people. It also makes us look hard at ourselves. What is really important, as we strive to become more than kids living in Mom's basement? Will our lives really be better with the house on the hill, the custom built Alienware computer, the celebrity significant other, the huge TV with HD DVD/Blue Ray and the money in the bank? Is it really worth trying to floss for people that we don't like, that don't give two craps about us if we don't look prosperous, who are terrible bores to talk to and who will forget our names in 10 minutes? Is the old adage really true "He who dies with the most toys wins", or is my sister's quip more accurate, "Even if you die with the most toys, you're still dead." Find this film and rent it. Or watch it on LinkTV. Or something.