Wang Xiaoshuai is grouped with the sixth generation Chinese directors led by Jia Zhangke and Jiang Wen. He is also clearly influenced by Italian Neo-realism as evidenced by the plots much noted similarity to De Sicca's Bicycle Thief. The other clear influence is the work of Taiwanese long shot auteurs like Tsai Mian-liang and Hou hsiao hsien. This combination of influences has created a style which some have proclaimed innovative but which to a seasoned viewer of world cinema is derivative, generic and actually shot in a very workmanlike style without any particular framing ability, brio or gift for mise en scene.
The premise of this movie could have led to an interesting examination of modern china, but the writers seemed unable to find any realistic way to bring about this premise. Once the relationship between country boy and city poor is established the contrast between their lives is not used to say or show anything of interest but instead the director opts for fallacious pieces of symbolism to show their "innate similarity".
The movie has been praised for gritty realism in showing the life of the Chinese poor, but it is actually incredibly false. The beijing of this movie is too clean, too bright, too picturesque and would appear to only have about ten people living in it. The movie also cops out by having every single character speaking putonghwa - very unlikely.
Finally, the acting is poor and unnaturalistic and every plot point drawn out for melodramatic effect. This must be the most over-rated piece of world cinema i've ever seen. Instead of following the herd to this tosh watch the true leaders of the sixth generation.
The premise of this movie could have led to an interesting examination of modern china, but the writers seemed unable to find any realistic way to bring about this premise. Once the relationship between country boy and city poor is established the contrast between their lives is not used to say or show anything of interest but instead the director opts for fallacious pieces of symbolism to show their "innate similarity".
The movie has been praised for gritty realism in showing the life of the Chinese poor, but it is actually incredibly false. The beijing of this movie is too clean, too bright, too picturesque and would appear to only have about ten people living in it. The movie also cops out by having every single character speaking putonghwa - very unlikely.
Finally, the acting is poor and unnaturalistic and every plot point drawn out for melodramatic effect. This must be the most over-rated piece of world cinema i've ever seen. Instead of following the herd to this tosh watch the true leaders of the sixth generation.