American Dreams in China (2013) User Reviews

HK Auteur Review - American Dreams in China 中國合夥人

[hkauteur · 7/10 · 25 June 2013]

During the economic reform period of the 80's, three friends bind together by a common ambition – to live the American dream. The three leads Huang Xiao Ming, Deng Chao and Tong Dawei create a very believable camaraderie. It is possible to be happy for your friend doing well and envy him at the same time, and that is the central story between these three friends. Huang Xiao Ming brings his best performance thus far. He's not busy preening for the camera and posing a pretty boy as I have seen in his past works. It's partly the role itself as it asks Huang to start by playing a vulnerable teenage boy who eventually that ages into a man.

There's a trend of using very fast cuts in Mainland comedies right now. It originated with Ning Hao's 2006 heist comedy Crazy Stone - which drew its visual style from Guy Ritchie - and now it has officially embedded itself genetically as filmic grammar for Chinese comedic dialogue. There's a scene where two of the friends had a fight and complain about each other individually with the third friend over a ping pong game. The cutting is so fast between conversation A and conversation B that it's impossible for the audience to really feel what these characters are going through. These montages will happen every now and then to speed the story ahead. It's zany for sure, but at times I wish they would let the scenes breathe instead of zeroing in for laughs.

That said, it's smart on Peter Chan's part of picking up on this trend and using it here because American Dreams in China is a Mainland Chinese story made for the Mainland audience. The content may prove more difficult with English-speaking audiences whom aren't aware of the cultural context or why the 3 friends carry the values they do about America and the American Dream to laugh at it whole-heartedly.

Suffice to say, Chan balances the film well and it is impressive to see a Hong Kong director tune to a Mainland frequency. Best thing I can say about Peter Chan's direction is that he is worldly. He doesn't portray Americans as white devils, which makes things more interesting and engaging. American Dreams in China will connect with its audience, namely Chinese people who were born in the 80's, and those people will enjoy it. Everybody else I am not so sure but this is a nice gem of a film nonetheless.

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Tailored for a Mainland Chinese audience, Peter Chan's latest chronicles the country's ambivalent feelings with the West in engaging but never really compelling fashion

[moviexclusive · 7/10 · 15 September 2013]

Never has there quite been a film which has so pointedly addressed China's complex love affair with the West as Peter Chan's latest work 'American Dreams in China', a presciently timed movie given the country's rising power on the international stage. Tapping into the contemporary Zeitgeist of the Chinese pursuit of the American dream, it sees Chan revisiting his familiar themes of love and friendship as he charts the ups and downs of three college friends over three decades who build a business empire on an English-language school.

Beginning with the end, Chan introduces us to his protagonists - Cheng Dongqing (Huang Xiaoming), Meng Xiaojun (Deng Chao) and Wang Yang (Tong Dawei) - as they are called to New York to answer allegations by the United States' Educational Testing System (ETS) that they had been using ETS material within their school curriculum without permission. Because this isn't a whodunit, there isn't any doubt that the allegations are indeed true; what remains to be seen however is how they got from chasing the American dream to selling others the pathway to make that dream a reality.

That story takes us back to their university days in the early 1980s during the era of the Economic Reform. Whereas Dongqing is a quiet and bookish country boy, his mates couldn't be more different - Xiaojun, the de facto leader of the trio, is ambitious and self-confident, while Wang Yang is carefree and hedonistic. Yet all three are united in a common desire of going to America, a land perceived to be one of equal opportunities that rewards the hardworking; nonetheless, they will soon discover that passion alone ain't enough - even after several rounds of interviews, only Xiaojun gets the student visa each one of them wants, leaving Dongqing and Wang Yang behind as he alone gets to live out their collective dreams.

Herein is where irony sets in. Still dejected from not being able to go to the United States, Dongqing instead takes up a job as an English teacher - but a not so good one at that at least at the start. With Wang Yang's financial help though, he taps on his own thirst for making that journey to America to become a stirring motivator for countless others like him, thereby turning a hole-in-the-wall teaching establishment named New Dream into a profit-making enterprise. On the other hand, Xiaojun isn't having such a good time in America, his seemingly bright and perfect future crashing down when he is sacked from his laboratory job and forced to work as a waiter at a restaurant under a bigoted Caucasian boss.

All that is packed into the first hour of the film, which uses frequent monologues and voiceovers to provide the narrative continuity necessary for such a sprawling tale. Yet even though the characters are defined well enough, their joys, disappointments and frustrations rarely stick, primarily because Zhou Zhiyong and Zhang Ji's screenplay (based upon Aubrey Lam's draft) doesn't give Chan much breathing space in between the individual ups and downs to dwell on quieter character moments. And so, though we get Chan's intention of painting a cautionary tale on ambition, idealism and reality, it ultimately rings a little too hollow, coming off more superficial than poignant.

Thankfully, the movie finds a surer dramatic footing in its second half as Xiaojun heads back to China to join his buddies to bring New Dream to greater heights. Illustrating how business interests can sometimes ruin the firmest of friendships, Chan patiently observes Dongqing and Xiaojun's conflicting goals for the company, exemplified particularly in the latter's insistence of - and the former's resistance against - an IPO launch on the New York Stock Exchange. At its most effective, Chan's story is a coming-of-age tale of three friends whose bond is tested by power, money and ambition - though it does take a longer time than it could have to reward audiences with an emotional payoff.

It is also for this reason that despite Chan's attempt to emulate the success of his 'Comrades, Almost A Love Story' - right down to framing the tale against memorable events in China's history such as the first KFC in 1992 and the bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade in 1999 - this supposed true story of the Beijing New Oriental School isn't quite as accomplished. There's also no denying the political subtext of the film, expressed in no unclear terms by Dongqing in a didactic speech that in a nutshell demands that the West pay more respect to China and its people - in the hands of a lesser filmmaker, we might have excused it as ineptitude; but in Chan's case, one can only conclude the heavy- handedness comes from a deliberate attempt to pander to Mainland audiences.

Still, to give credit where that's due, Chan does get career-best performances from his Mainland stars. Made to downplay his good looks, Huang Xiaoming puts aside his swagger and is nicely understated as the shy Dongqing who comes into his own as a firm and resolute personality along the course of the film. Deng Chao projects just the right amount of poise without becoming supercilious, and surprisingly emerges as the most empathetic of the lot especially as his self-confidence takes a beating. Though he gets slightly less attention than Huang and Deng, Tong Dawei is also extremely likable as the most good-natured of the three.

In them and their characters is probably where Chan also sees himself. It's no secret that Chan now has his eyes firmly on the China market, but Chan's strengths as a filmmaker still triumph over his newfound commercial sensibilities, and even if this latest isn't as compelling as it could have been, it is at least never less than engaging.

movie in telling real

[cblhxx · 7/10 · 14 June 2013]

I'd like to share some of my own views as a native Chinese who's never been abroad.

In the movie, those three guys are graduated in the best university 'PKU Beijing University' in china. They are the real elite, however they can't find a decent job in US as the lack of vocational skills, so they have to work really hard to support themselves. Not all Chinese are cleaver for sure.

About the racism, the old teacher is just a symbol of old China. And I believe that Chinese poor student worker not been treated well happens everywhere more or less. It's due to the stereotype and the bad image of China. That's why they're so eager to change the figure in US. In this regard, you can say it's a bit racism.

The scene made me uncomfortable is they came back to the diner which is one used to work in, and said something about the lady who he had worked for. Business is not charity, they can't pay you for your ambition. And you can't lower others to heighten yourself.

Furthermore, the film is based on real story. There's a language school named 'new oriental school' in China, and the headmaster can really remember the whole dictionary, they did advertisement on lamp-post, had class in deserted factory. In the end of the movie, there're their picture along with some famous business men during the same period.

Nowadays however, study abroad is different than before for the wide gap between rich and poor. Those who born with a golden spoon can easily get a visa and find a school, where as others would be blocked while getting the visa.

Technically good, well-written but very nationalistic.

[boku-2 · 7/10 · 11 June 2013]

Technically I think this movie's made very well, but its message is very nationalistic and panders to the Chinese Communist Party and the masses (which is fair enough I suppose for a commercial film).

Especially the film's latter half focuses on the rise of China, and there is a clear message that Chinese people are inherently cleverer, more moral and generally better than stupid Americans who are only economically at the top due to their aggressiveness and luck. There's also a very odd message in the film about racism in the USA, which seems quite irrelevant to the plot of the film and just another way for the film to push home the message that Chinese people are a better people than Americans.

If you don't read into the message too much (which is hard considering how hard it's pushed home), it's quite an enjoyable film of three young men's struggle and rise to the top.

the film was never about business after all

[buoyantlzq · 6/10 · 7 February 2014]

I thought Chan Ho-sun's latest movie, American Dreams in China, would be a more masculine version of Zhao Wei's So Young. But not quite, as it turns out.

Although the film depicts a nostalgic campus life full of idealism for the future and the impulses of love, the story is more about starting out after innocent youth has faded.

Through the intertwined destinies of the movie's protagonists, the audience witnesses a triangle of friendship, career ambitions and personal dreams seemingly collapse as three best friends desperately try to tie and twist these elements together.

That's why Wang Yang (Tong Dawei), one of the three best friends, who start a business together, shares this lesson of life: "Never start a business with your best friends."

He may be right. After all, no matter how close they are, differences in their professional and personal aspirations can drive friends apart. Every individual has a distinct outlook on the world and their future, which determines the trajectory of their career and life.

Without knowing of Meng Xiaojun's (Deng Chao) struggles in the US and his disillusion toward the country, there's no way Cheng Dongqing (Huang Xiaoming) can understand why Meng is pushing all the agendas so hard. The parting of the invincible trio, to some extent, is predestined.

Even so, despite these differences, friendship always prevails. Cheng's difficulties become a podium on which the three friends stand together. It's through the emotional connection they developed over many years that they finally overcome their differences and reform the alliance.

What the film tries to convey is the triumph of brotherhood, which dates back to our naive, passionate youth when unconditional bonds of emotion are shaped.

So the film was never about business after all.

It's much better than you think

[yoggwork · 6/10 · 20 February 2019]

Music is especially good. The plot was exciting, but the story was told in a hurry. There is no nostalgic long lens, all rely on narration to inculcate, or ultimately ended. Tong Dawei is still that poker face, and the sense of integration with the characters is still so poor. Huang Xiaoming is either crying or laughing. After all, acting is an entry point. Deng Chao is the only one who seems to be performing.

Chinese dream... American dream...

[andrejvasiljevic · 8/10 · 9 August 2013]

Lately, a certain term began to sound very popular around China~ Chinese Dream. As government officials try to explain in their well prepared and yet very dull PR speeches, it's pretty much the same concept as the American Dream back in the 1950s~ work, money, happiness and national pride. However, "American Dreams in China" does not bother with this issue directly. It is only due to strange translation that one may get such an impression. Actually, the literal transliteration would sound something like "Chinese Partner". And indeed, the story is a mix of comedy and drama which revolves about the dreams and careers of 3 good friends, who came to be successful businessmen. You could say that "American Dreams in China" has elements of a Hollywood style rags-to-riches plot, but there's more to it~

For one to understand and like this motion title, one must comprehend what China looked like 30 years a go, and trust me, it had absolutely nothing to do with anything you have today. Back in the early 1980s when the story begins, Chinese society was still a firmly Maoist environment, with little or no personal freedoms. The country only started to open up, but still, the road ahead was long and challenging. Money or any kind of major material possessions were a distant dream for most. Young people had only but two choices~ to study and hope for a city desk job, or settle in the country side and employ in a field or factory. Naturally, many had a problem with the options, which pushed to them find luck in other places of the world, most often in the USA. Some of them succeeded to cross the ocean, but most had to stay in China and search for a different way.

"American Dreams in China" is a story about 3 college friends with same dreams, and yet, paths that took very different turns. It is a drama (based on a true story as they say) with comic elements~ A Chinese tale which in a humorous, and yet very bold ways speaks of a generation that started the business story which, up till today, made China the economic center of the world. Their work and effort will go along with the changing society, enduring the wild and turbulent tides.

So, did I like it? Quite so much~ I even saw the film in a Chinese cinema with no subtitles, which was a unique opportunity for me to polish my Mandarin, haha. "American Dreams in China" is a good and creative substance for all those who like drama, comedy and are willing to get into the social issues of China. Definitely worth watching~

compelling tale, finely portrayed

[Blue-Grotto · 7/10 · 3 August 2014]

A person is bound to act strangely when losing at love and life. Some channel the failure into better things. In a true story, three entrepreneurs take some lumps from classrooms, random grouches, consulates, love, and each other, and manage to turn things around. They come up from depths of despair with jewels found in their hearts. With straight talk, humor and personal stories, these three turn English language classes in an abandoned factory, along with broken dreams, into a billion dollar empire. While ripe with awkward moments, inadequately developed themes, and scenes that are difficult to translate, this is a compelling tale, finely portrayed, of dealing with adversity, following your bliss and hidden talents, and letting the rest go. Seen at the 2014 Miami International Film Festival.

Entrepreneurship story is hard, reality is harder

[hooraychining · 8/10 · 13 November 2021]

I judge whether a movie is good or not entirely based on feelings. If a drama makes me cry, it is worth 8 points or higher. The narrative at the beginning of this film is interspersed between different eras, and the editing is a bit too fast, almost making me give up watching it. But this kind of movie grammar does not affect my appreciation. The struggle and entrepreneurial history of three ordinary young people, as well as the various frustrations and insights they experienced, moved me (almost to tears).

This movie is based on the "New Oriental" company's development. Many storylines have been seen in the news related to New Oriental, and now there are three things that I feel most deeply: 1. The Chinese people yearn for a better life and define the United States as the goal of a better life. This is the initial psychological motivation for generations of Chinese to continue to study English.

2. Even if they have learned proficient English and easily passed the GRE test, their way of thinking is not necessarily independent and mature. In some cases, they can even curse the United States and insult the teachers who helped them study English. On the one hand, they may be willing to enjoy the actual benefits of an unfair advantage and quibble about it (in a sensational way), on the other hand, they may be strongly dissatisfied with Objective criticism.

3. It may be difficult to start a business in China not only because the partners are 3 best friends since live from University, but also because they may choose the wrong industry. It is said that New Oriental is no longer able to continue to engage in education and training, and is seeking a career change. The real life of the three founders after 2021 may be even more challenging.

A movie that once made me sigh

[z-59713 · 8/10 · 5 May 2020]

I've been watching it for a long time. I can't remember many lines and can't comment on them very well. Now talking about this movie, to a certain extent, it's a tearful movie. It seems to be the history of diaosi's blood, tears and struggle.

You deserve it, son. You are still young. You can go out and make a difference. But she can only stay here forever and accomplish nothing.

American dreams in China

[patrick-82523 · 21 May 2015]

Film review Film title: American dreams in China (zhong guo he huo ren) Director: peter Chan(陈可辛) Year of release: 2013

This film is about a story about the road of 3 young man build their company and achieve success and their dreams. 'What is dream? Dream is what make you insist and let you feel happiness.' This is a famous sentence of Cheng. The film uses Chinese 'American dreams' as a background, tell us a story from the reform and opening-up the 3 young man build the education group and change their life via hard work. The entire film is nostalgic, it have a perfect details of old time: the old film in cinema and television, a lot of old song. At the beginning of the reform and opening-up, many people go overseas via various way. This is a society which full of opportunity. Three characters based on this background, he relationship between them helps to describe characters in the film. Meanwhile, the film uses a flashback narrative approach, it begins from their meeting in U.S., and then back to the beginning of their story.

Those 3 characters are different and have their own dreams. From the dressing we could know their have different background and character. Meng is aggressive and always seek for change. He is the only one got American visa and went to U.S. He is a smart men, he knows what is time's requirement, he knows how to maintain his profit and he knows what he want clearly. Meng is a men with full of ambition, he believe he could change the world. However once he arrive U.S., he notice that everything is far away from his imagination. He born in a rich family but in U.S. he experience the hard and tough of life. What he want is not wealth or property. He hope U.S. to understand that Chinese students are excellent and dignified. He hope U.S. to see the raise of China. When he saw the donate name at the lab which he used to work, he cried. This is what he required for. Cheng is from Chinese country who was failed twice in college entrance examination. He know that if he failed, he will stay in the country for life. From a loser of exam to the leader of education, his responsibility play an important role. When people attack his school, he is the only one dear to stand out just like in the university he stand out to stop people chasing Meng and Wang. Cheng is a representative of many successful people from country. Because of his hard work and his insistent, their education group shall success. Wang is a rebellious man with long hair. He always by Cheng's side and back him up. He is important for their relationship, he visited Cheng along when Cheng was in hospital. He always play peacemaker between Cheng and Meng. He trade the friendship is the number one. Meanwhile, he sacrificed many for the education company but do not have any complain. When facing American, Wang performs peacefully just like he knows the victory is theirs. When Cheng has been fired by university, he encourage Cheng cheer up and start his own company. The education company could not success with Wang. There is one scene impressive me, when Cheng and Meng have different opinions with the company's share, the director arrange a table tennis game to describe. Wang is on the right side of the table, Cheng and Meng play table tennis with him respectively and chat with Wang. Cheng and Meng both play with Wang but they do not play with each other actually. Wang is the messenger between Cheng and Meng. At last Wang lied to them because he does not wish squabble and try to maintain their friendship. This scene implicate that Cheng and Meng could not reach an agreement right now. Wang is the important person of the friendship among them. In conclusion, this film is a good product. It helps many middle age Chinese remember their youth. Everyone have a definition of success. This film also remind us do not forget our dreams once we have.