Impressive scenery and cinematography brings viewers back to Saigon in the old time, acting adequate but not amazing. Slow pace especially in the middle, and story not explored deeply enough. The unrequited love mechanic gets weary after a while with few twists or complexities. Pretty much zero effort in makeup to make the characters look as if they've convincingly aged while the daughter ages markedly.
15 Reviews
Such a beautiful movie...
paul_haakonsen2 January 2022
Now, I don't usually get to watch a lot of Vietnamese movies, so I can't claim to be well-traversed in the Vietnamese cinema in any way. But when I had the opportunity to sit down here in 2022 and watch the 2019 romantic drama from writers Kay Nguyen and Victor Vu, of course I did so. Sure, I hadn't even heard about the movie prior to watching it, but that hardly mattered.
I will say that writers Kay Nguyen and Victor Vu definitely managed to put together a very wholesome storyline and plot. It was a story that was every bit as beautiful and touching as it was entertaining and enjoyable. Hand on heart, then I have to admit that "Mat Biec" (aka "Dreamy Eyes") turned out to be a very nice surprise of a movie.
The storyline is emotional and one that quickly takes you by the hand and doesn't let go before the movie ends. So the writers definitely did a marvelous job in putting together this story. Director Victor Vu also brought the movie to the screen in a very fulfilling and wholesome manner.
Needless to say that I wasn't familiar with the cast that performed in "Mat Biec", but I will say that they put on very convincing performances and carried the movie quite phenomenally. Lead actor Tran Nghia (playing Ngan) and lead actress Trúc Anh (playing Ha Lan) were so amazingly well-cast for this movie, and they put on stellar performances.
If you enjoy romantic dramas, then you most certainly should sit down to watch "Mat Biec", should you ever get the chance. I was thoroughly enjoying this movie, and it really was such a beautifully told story.
My rating of "Mat Biec" lands on a well-deserved eight out of ten stars.
I will say that writers Kay Nguyen and Victor Vu definitely managed to put together a very wholesome storyline and plot. It was a story that was every bit as beautiful and touching as it was entertaining and enjoyable. Hand on heart, then I have to admit that "Mat Biec" (aka "Dreamy Eyes") turned out to be a very nice surprise of a movie.
The storyline is emotional and one that quickly takes you by the hand and doesn't let go before the movie ends. So the writers definitely did a marvelous job in putting together this story. Director Victor Vu also brought the movie to the screen in a very fulfilling and wholesome manner.
Needless to say that I wasn't familiar with the cast that performed in "Mat Biec", but I will say that they put on very convincing performances and carried the movie quite phenomenally. Lead actor Tran Nghia (playing Ngan) and lead actress Trúc Anh (playing Ha Lan) were so amazingly well-cast for this movie, and they put on stellar performances.
If you enjoy romantic dramas, then you most certainly should sit down to watch "Mat Biec", should you ever get the chance. I was thoroughly enjoying this movie, and it really was such a beautifully told story.
My rating of "Mat Biec" lands on a well-deserved eight out of ten stars.
Good Movie
pffdota28 April 2020
How can I watch this movie?
tepathome5 April 2020
The ending is bad
runtran-908523 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
3 for the first half, 1 for the other.
You did my girl Tra Long dirty. Not only that the actor play her is bad, she also make me think the character is underage. Her relationship with Ngan is flat, it's doesn't make sense that she love him or *spoiler for anyone that haven't seen the book* he love her.
Actually, all the character in the second half feel flat. I don't know why you have to make up a character like Hong. She is so forgettable and so unnecessary. Ngan in the second half is also bad, he look off and his acting was horrible. The same go to Ha Lan.
You did my girl Tra Long dirty. Not only that the actor play her is bad, she also make me think the character is underage. Her relationship with Ngan is flat, it's doesn't make sense that she love him or *spoiler for anyone that haven't seen the book* he love her.
Actually, all the character in the second half feel flat. I don't know why you have to make up a character like Hong. She is so forgettable and so unnecessary. Ngan in the second half is also bad, he look off and his acting was horrible. The same go to Ha Lan.
Victor Vu last banger before 2020
phanthinga10 January 2020
In Vietnam, there is only one person that I can call a visionary director and that is Victor Vu but in the past two years from Loi Bao (2017) a superhero movie to The Immortal (2018) a supernatural action movie despite a great scope for cinematography and genre the script always bring both of them down which frustrated me al lot so with Dreamy Eyes his latest novel adaptation movie from author Nguyen Nhat Anh I keep my expectation at the lowest possible and surprise, surprise the movie blew me away from how good and emotion it is at the Melodrama genre that I'm not very fond of. It a very predictable movie filled with soap drama cliche from start to finish but I can help but fall in love with the characters, the scenery, the OST that by the time I realize it all over I already ugly sobbing in my seat. I hope everyone catches this movie before it leaves the theater and I wish 2020 will be the best year for the director with his Son Tinh and Thuy Tinh mythos movie
Epic love story in mesmerizing cinematography
gnguyen10230 January 2020
Deep in the heart of human nature is the craving to be appreciated - William James.
And this love story rings true to that: the initial setting was in Do Do village where main character Ngan fell heads-over-heels for his class mate Ha Lan (played by Truc Anh) since grade school. The two enjoyed years together as close friends while Ngan kept hinting his love via caring and singing love song over his guitar... things started to drastic turn when Ha Lan went to the city for high school and Ngan followed suit. Ha Lan was overwhelmed with the city lights, the busy streets, the bars, etc... however Ngan's love for her endured and he continued to give... a childhood crush that spanned over three decades.... he did not change even when he had his chances of happiness without her.Love made him blind and he could not see the world changing? Or was he one stubborn SOB who refused to accept defeat? Who are we to judge? For me his insistence resonates with the idea that we are driven not only by our basic instincts but also by our desire to win love via our own virtue and to remain hopeful that one day we will be appreciated for the agonizing pain from selfless sacrifices we have made. Because love is not a zero-sum game and certainly not a commodity that can be bought... strong enough to overcome most irresistible temptation.
This begs the question of if Ngan character ever exists in reality. That's for each audience to decide!
Incredible cinematography and music scores can bring feeling to many highs and climaxes regardless of how familiar you are with Central Vietnam in the 1970's.
And this love story rings true to that: the initial setting was in Do Do village where main character Ngan fell heads-over-heels for his class mate Ha Lan (played by Truc Anh) since grade school. The two enjoyed years together as close friends while Ngan kept hinting his love via caring and singing love song over his guitar... things started to drastic turn when Ha Lan went to the city for high school and Ngan followed suit. Ha Lan was overwhelmed with the city lights, the busy streets, the bars, etc... however Ngan's love for her endured and he continued to give... a childhood crush that spanned over three decades.... he did not change even when he had his chances of happiness without her.Love made him blind and he could not see the world changing? Or was he one stubborn SOB who refused to accept defeat? Who are we to judge? For me his insistence resonates with the idea that we are driven not only by our basic instincts but also by our desire to win love via our own virtue and to remain hopeful that one day we will be appreciated for the agonizing pain from selfless sacrifices we have made. Because love is not a zero-sum game and certainly not a commodity that can be bought... strong enough to overcome most irresistible temptation.
This begs the question of if Ngan character ever exists in reality. That's for each audience to decide!
Incredible cinematography and music scores can bring feeling to many highs and climaxes regardless of how familiar you are with Central Vietnam in the 1970's.
Non realistic imagined isolated world
luciomamanto25 August 2021
A non-epic and with a controlled environment of people and situation which only exist in a movie. This is a typical unrequited love story. Ironically this will be a good story to convert as mini series. If we follow the background setting and suspend our disbelief, it can be something of a neat story and that's why I enjoy moderately especially from half to near the end.
A cultural gem from a time not yet gone
esistso3301 July 2021
This is film-making at its absolute finest. Technically superb, nuanced, divine casting, colour, light, humour. It enthralled me. If you are tired of Hollywood's wndless 'kill conquer rinse repeat' format, watch this film with people you love.
A beautiful scene. But that's not enough
kltfalcon21 April 2020
This movie has a beautiful scene. I love every scene in this movie. Do Do market, is quite good. I feel I actually live in this period. But I think this movie is just a thank to someone who has read original story. The love from Ngan and Ha Lan are not deep enough. I can't see why Ngan love Ha Lan so much. He just love her in Do Do not her in the Sai Gon. But how can he follow her like that. I don't understand this. Everything has not deep enough.
Nice romantic movies I guess
nguyenhan-6925316 July 2021
I think the movie is very good but the movie is not as romantic as i expected. The views of the city make me feel i was in the past, the music is perfect 💯 percent. But one thing I don't like is that the feeling of the movie is not as I expected. When I hear about the movie I was expecting this movie will make me cry when I watch it but it not enough, but it has the feeling that makes me super sad. I do not agree on the solution at the end of the movie, may be there was another ways, but after all the end is the thing make the movie special.
What a letdown
hoang-kh11 January 2020
The story build up was pretty decent till it got to the point where everybody gets depressed as hell. They backed it up with astonishing cinematics and music but surely for nothing. The reason why they couldn't be together was horrendous and made it so hard to watch honestly.
should definitely give it a try
v-8693414 August 2022
I don't know I'm out of words to describe this movie it's so emotional. If you're Vietnamese you'll understand why this love is meaningful and how beautiful it is. There will always be a person that we love so much to the point where we didn't accept other person into our life anymore. Job well done I'm so in love with this movie and recommend it.
Slow but beautiful movie
Movi3DO12 July 2021
In this life, there are two things you must never miss: The last bus home, and the person who truly loves you.
So apparently Netflix does have some Vietnamese movies. A romance drama about a boy and girl in a village moving into the city, where their lives and childhood innocence changed.
First of all, the cinematography and scores were breathtaking. The forest, village, and the trees looked beautiful and dreamy. This pure and dreamy feeling of the movie was amplified by the calm background music. Both elements captured the sense of innocence of the village, as well as the sweet childhood of the main characters.
The story was a heartbreaking one. As Loki is burdened by his glorious purpose, our female character got burdened by her past and our male character got burdened by his love. I had a lot of sympathy for the guy because of his patience and what he had to deal with throughout the movie. Then the ending came and the story became even more depressing.
My problem with the movie was that for a 2-hour long runtime, it sure felt like 3 hours. It was very slow, and I was surprised at how little time has gone by. As a sweet story, it's still a bit cheesy with elements not new of the genre.
Overall, it's a beautiful and sad romance drama. 8.5/10.
So apparently Netflix does have some Vietnamese movies. A romance drama about a boy and girl in a village moving into the city, where their lives and childhood innocence changed.
First of all, the cinematography and scores were breathtaking. The forest, village, and the trees looked beautiful and dreamy. This pure and dreamy feeling of the movie was amplified by the calm background music. Both elements captured the sense of innocence of the village, as well as the sweet childhood of the main characters.
The story was a heartbreaking one. As Loki is burdened by his glorious purpose, our female character got burdened by her past and our male character got burdened by his love. I had a lot of sympathy for the guy because of his patience and what he had to deal with throughout the movie. Then the ending came and the story became even more depressing.
My problem with the movie was that for a 2-hour long runtime, it sure felt like 3 hours. It was very slow, and I was surprised at how little time has gone by. As a sweet story, it's still a bit cheesy with elements not new of the genre.
Overall, it's a beautiful and sad romance drama. 8.5/10.
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