I was surprised to see this movie that showed feelings I would have only expected in a Western film. After living in China for several weeks and feeling the large gulf between my culture in NW USA and Beijing, I found this movie quite refreshing. It showed me again that people are basically the same, given similar conditions. Dialogue was excellent - very well written and intense, although a little hard to follow by subtitles and watch the character's actions at the same time. The plot was not quite as predictable as a typical Hollywood film, which I also found refreshing. I look forward to watching more films by this director.
10 Reviews
Uptown girl
fablesofthereconstru-19 June 2009
Warning: Spoilers
"A sane, healthy woman," that's what Qin Fen(You Ge) is after, somebody "emotional", not the practical type. Well into his forties, this amateur inventor is remarkably self-assured and demanding for somebody this lonely. Only in the movies would a woman as beautiful as Smiley(Qi Shu) consider such an ordinary man. The flight attendant had seen Qin's ad in the personals and admired his no nonsense, almost anti-romantic description about what he's searching for. Stuck in a fatalistic relationship with a married man, Smiley wants friendship, not romance, so she follows the bald man out of the coffee shop and the rest is history. They become...platonic friends. Is it enough for Qin? No.
Neither sane nor emotionally healthy, Qin makes allowances for Smiley, who has a sublime beauty that overrides the impracticality of being a consolation prize. "Fei cheng wu rao" is like an inverse of Garry Marshall's "Pretty Woman", in which the woman has the agency in their relationship. After asking Qin to marry her, Smiley sets the condition that she be allowed to keep a space in her heart for the married man. Why, the moviegoer may wonder, does Smiley restrict herself to a man she doesn't find sexually attractive? Like one of Qin's rejects(a stockbroker) says, Qin's value is depreciating. In other words, he's old and bald. But that's the movies for you, patriarchal through and through. The truth is out though, to the film's credit, in which the woman provides an honest assessment of Qin's desirability, because it punctures the movie myth that an average man can lure a ten into his heart. While neither Qin nor Smiley addresses the difference in their age, the narrative itself performs the task of batting its rhetorical eyelids at the math, indirectly, without being the least bit didactic about it.
A change of scenery is the balm, Qin hopes, might be the salubrious fix-all to Smiley's broken heart, so the symbiotic couple travels to Japan, where the old man has a friend who drives his Chinese guests around Hokkaido. An unscheduled stop at a small Christian church leads to the old man divulging all of his sins to a priest. Starting with his transgressions as a small child, in a roundabout way, Qin admits his amorous feelings for Smiley is scandalous, but he never gets that far in the chronology. Worn out from Qin's unabridged cataloging of sins, the priest advises Smiley that she take her friend to the big church. To Qin, although he knows his relationship might be sinful, it's nothing that a small church can't handle in his estimation. But for others, a cross-generational pairing may seem lurid, therefore a big church is needed to absolve a big sin. While self-reflexivity is applied to the social phenomena of old man dating younger women, "Fei cheng wu rao" has nothing in common with feminism. Ultimately, the film sides with the small church, since Qin's friend lectures Smiley on the unfairness of it all, exploiting his friend's feelings with her convoluted conditions, he scolds. After all, exploitation can be a two-way street. Qin puts up with being angst-ridden because he likes his women young. It's a price he's willing to pay.
Prior to their religious field trip, in the city district, the two men encounter a poster-sized photograph of four beautiful sisters, restaurant proprietors, whose erotic appeal lures them inside. To their surprise, however, the picture is out of date. They're old. Women who are out of circulation in Qin's estimation, as well as the film's ideology(The old ladies themselves laugh at their own lost sex appeal as women.) The geriatric women are the punchline to a set-up that's predicated on the filmic tradition of older virile men categorically disqualifying their female contemporaries as potential mates. The filmmaker infers that it's better for a man to be celibate than lie down with a mature woman. Sex is important to Qin, he says it's the basis for love, so when he turns down Smiley's one night of love(sex) with her, his perceived nobility of genuine emotions for the younger woman, obscures the fact that he's really just a dirty, old man.
Neither sane nor emotionally healthy, Qin makes allowances for Smiley, who has a sublime beauty that overrides the impracticality of being a consolation prize. "Fei cheng wu rao" is like an inverse of Garry Marshall's "Pretty Woman", in which the woman has the agency in their relationship. After asking Qin to marry her, Smiley sets the condition that she be allowed to keep a space in her heart for the married man. Why, the moviegoer may wonder, does Smiley restrict herself to a man she doesn't find sexually attractive? Like one of Qin's rejects(a stockbroker) says, Qin's value is depreciating. In other words, he's old and bald. But that's the movies for you, patriarchal through and through. The truth is out though, to the film's credit, in which the woman provides an honest assessment of Qin's desirability, because it punctures the movie myth that an average man can lure a ten into his heart. While neither Qin nor Smiley addresses the difference in their age, the narrative itself performs the task of batting its rhetorical eyelids at the math, indirectly, without being the least bit didactic about it.
A change of scenery is the balm, Qin hopes, might be the salubrious fix-all to Smiley's broken heart, so the symbiotic couple travels to Japan, where the old man has a friend who drives his Chinese guests around Hokkaido. An unscheduled stop at a small Christian church leads to the old man divulging all of his sins to a priest. Starting with his transgressions as a small child, in a roundabout way, Qin admits his amorous feelings for Smiley is scandalous, but he never gets that far in the chronology. Worn out from Qin's unabridged cataloging of sins, the priest advises Smiley that she take her friend to the big church. To Qin, although he knows his relationship might be sinful, it's nothing that a small church can't handle in his estimation. But for others, a cross-generational pairing may seem lurid, therefore a big church is needed to absolve a big sin. While self-reflexivity is applied to the social phenomena of old man dating younger women, "Fei cheng wu rao" has nothing in common with feminism. Ultimately, the film sides with the small church, since Qin's friend lectures Smiley on the unfairness of it all, exploiting his friend's feelings with her convoluted conditions, he scolds. After all, exploitation can be a two-way street. Qin puts up with being angst-ridden because he likes his women young. It's a price he's willing to pay.
Prior to their religious field trip, in the city district, the two men encounter a poster-sized photograph of four beautiful sisters, restaurant proprietors, whose erotic appeal lures them inside. To their surprise, however, the picture is out of date. They're old. Women who are out of circulation in Qin's estimation, as well as the film's ideology(The old ladies themselves laugh at their own lost sex appeal as women.) The geriatric women are the punchline to a set-up that's predicated on the filmic tradition of older virile men categorically disqualifying their female contemporaries as potential mates. The filmmaker infers that it's better for a man to be celibate than lie down with a mature woman. Sex is important to Qin, he says it's the basis for love, so when he turns down Smiley's one night of love(sex) with her, his perceived nobility of genuine emotions for the younger woman, obscures the fact that he's really just a dirty, old man.
a mild comedy
etudiantemo28 December 2008
It's a film about romance, sad but mild at the same time. Permeated by numerous advertisement for the sponsors for the produce of this film, the story struggled to manifest its substance via Ge You's humorous( or flirtatious) dialogue( or monologue). A man (acted by Ge You) over forty wanted to find the "Miss Right", only to encounter various kinds of " Miss Wrong". A woman ( acted by Shu Qi) felt desperate at the affair with a married man happened to meet Ge You at a blind date. They got to know each other gradually and decided to pay a tour to the famous retort in Japan together as companion to each other and finally Shu Qi smells the odor she wants from his companion and realizes he is the true Mr Right. In the picturesque field, another emotion arising from friendship tried to trigger audience's innate desire to sob. As a comedy, the film brings us a good ending, touching. BTW, the music rendered by the winner of Super Girl is manifique.
Funny but unnatural story.
JinPing_Xi12 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
First off all,I like love comedy,but this story told a stupid but good-looking and good-job women who wanna kill her self because of her immroal relationship with someone married.it was so ridiculous! I don't think it is a reasonable character.i am so tired of suiside.
Secondly,I love Ge You so much,he is so funny.and his acting is extremely good. Some supporting role also performed brilliantly, especially Feng YuanZheng who plays the gay. The actor who plays Wusang speaks a little awkward Mandarin, but it may be intentional by the director to highlight the character's long-term residence in Japan.
The scene in Hokkaido is so beautiful. I like the scene of confession in church very much. It's really interesting.
Secondly,I love Ge You so much,he is so funny.and his acting is extremely good. Some supporting role also performed brilliantly, especially Feng YuanZheng who plays the gay. The actor who plays Wusang speaks a little awkward Mandarin, but it may be intentional by the director to highlight the character's long-term residence in Japan.
The scene in Hokkaido is so beautiful. I like the scene of confession in church very much. It's really interesting.
A Nutshell Review: If You Are The One
DICK STEEL28 February 2009
I'm a keen admirer of versatile Chinese director Feng Xiaogang and am a fan of his films, which covers quite a vast range from War (The Assembly), Period martial arts (The Banquet), and a good old thriller in World Without Thieves, amongst others in his filmography. I've yet to watch something that had disappointed, and his latest romantic drama If You Are The One starring long time collaborator Ge You and Shu Qi, proves to be yet another understated film that deserves a larger audience, if not for the limited number of screens (two only) in Singapore.
Ge You plays Qin Fen, whom we are introduced as a one-time inventor of a product called the Conflict Resolution Tool, which got sold to a venture capitalist for millions. With his new found wealth, he decided to focus on settling down, and follows the recent trend of finding a suitable companion over the internet. Here's where the humour comes in, not in slapstick fashion, but through the earnest ways he presents himself with honesty, starting from his online profile which lists a number of his ordinary points quite upfront. Ge You is again at his element here, and he continues to surprise how he internalizes his roles, be it the grandeur of an emperor, or a straight-talking neighbour next door.
Needless to say the best bits were in the first half, where like the 40 Year Old Virgin he goes on a schedule of blind dates after more blind dates, meeting countless of women with plenty of side agendas except settling down. His surprise comes in the form of Shu Qi's Xiaoxiao, because nobody would seriously expect a babe to hook up with someone through online means, given no lack of suitors already queuing up in the real world. I can trust a story written by Feng Xiaogang in that he crafts his characters with believability, and here he captures perfectly the essence of the dilemma of a middle aged man looking for a love partner. Knowing a below average joe would never be able to hold onto a relationship with a princess, given lack of funds, looks and power, Qin Fen passes up the chance quite honestly, but forms a firm friendship with Xiaoxiao.
I guess Shu Qi's almost automatic first choice for a female lead role in a romantic film, having been seen very recently opposite Andy Lau in Look For A Star. While that role is a little more vivacious, her character here is a little more subdued, though no less glamorous as a stewardess with Hainan Air. Again she convinces with a credible performance of a woman who has this tremendous emotional baggage of being in love with a married man, who for obvious reasons cannot commit to her, nor wanting to let her go. She epitomizes Selfishness to the maximum, especially when deciding to trade and negotiate a relationship while knowingly still having a place in her heart for someone else, although credit given that she's upfront about it.
What I particularly enjoyed about the film is its examination into seeking love through online means, where one has got to go through arduous ego-inflating profiles trying to seek out somebody for a blind date, which can turn out to be a tad disappointing when real life doesn't meet expectations set, no matter how small that is. The story excels, and is one of the key strengths of the film is in highlighting this disappointment. One can be magnanimous and make the best of the situation, or try to pull the plug as early as you can so as not to lead the other person on, or to waste everyone's time. It's all about having a little chance and taking risk at every possible opportunity presenting itself, and disappointments being just part and parcel of the process, especially when you have little brought to the table.
Blessed with rich cinematography thanks to great locales in both China and in Hokkaido, Japan, look out too for plenty of cameos especially the blind dates that Qin Feng meets, the best (to me) was the short appearance of Vivian Hsu, who highlights once again some of the prejudices that any male would probably subscribe to as well. If there was a gripe, that will be the last scene which was quite unnecessary and too tacky, even though it was trying to make a not too subtle reference and statement to the real world financial crisis now, and the confidence to have in the Chinese financial system.
I would only say to try not to miss this film despite the limited screens and timings, because this is certainly one movie that is worth its weight in gold. For those who cannot make it to the cinemas, the DVD is already out now, so you might just want to own it instead. Highly recommended, and goes into my shortlist of contenders for that end of year top movies list!
Ge You plays Qin Fen, whom we are introduced as a one-time inventor of a product called the Conflict Resolution Tool, which got sold to a venture capitalist for millions. With his new found wealth, he decided to focus on settling down, and follows the recent trend of finding a suitable companion over the internet. Here's where the humour comes in, not in slapstick fashion, but through the earnest ways he presents himself with honesty, starting from his online profile which lists a number of his ordinary points quite upfront. Ge You is again at his element here, and he continues to surprise how he internalizes his roles, be it the grandeur of an emperor, or a straight-talking neighbour next door.
Needless to say the best bits were in the first half, where like the 40 Year Old Virgin he goes on a schedule of blind dates after more blind dates, meeting countless of women with plenty of side agendas except settling down. His surprise comes in the form of Shu Qi's Xiaoxiao, because nobody would seriously expect a babe to hook up with someone through online means, given no lack of suitors already queuing up in the real world. I can trust a story written by Feng Xiaogang in that he crafts his characters with believability, and here he captures perfectly the essence of the dilemma of a middle aged man looking for a love partner. Knowing a below average joe would never be able to hold onto a relationship with a princess, given lack of funds, looks and power, Qin Fen passes up the chance quite honestly, but forms a firm friendship with Xiaoxiao.
I guess Shu Qi's almost automatic first choice for a female lead role in a romantic film, having been seen very recently opposite Andy Lau in Look For A Star. While that role is a little more vivacious, her character here is a little more subdued, though no less glamorous as a stewardess with Hainan Air. Again she convinces with a credible performance of a woman who has this tremendous emotional baggage of being in love with a married man, who for obvious reasons cannot commit to her, nor wanting to let her go. She epitomizes Selfishness to the maximum, especially when deciding to trade and negotiate a relationship while knowingly still having a place in her heart for someone else, although credit given that she's upfront about it.
What I particularly enjoyed about the film is its examination into seeking love through online means, where one has got to go through arduous ego-inflating profiles trying to seek out somebody for a blind date, which can turn out to be a tad disappointing when real life doesn't meet expectations set, no matter how small that is. The story excels, and is one of the key strengths of the film is in highlighting this disappointment. One can be magnanimous and make the best of the situation, or try to pull the plug as early as you can so as not to lead the other person on, or to waste everyone's time. It's all about having a little chance and taking risk at every possible opportunity presenting itself, and disappointments being just part and parcel of the process, especially when you have little brought to the table.
Blessed with rich cinematography thanks to great locales in both China and in Hokkaido, Japan, look out too for plenty of cameos especially the blind dates that Qin Feng meets, the best (to me) was the short appearance of Vivian Hsu, who highlights once again some of the prejudices that any male would probably subscribe to as well. If there was a gripe, that will be the last scene which was quite unnecessary and too tacky, even though it was trying to make a not too subtle reference and statement to the real world financial crisis now, and the confidence to have in the Chinese financial system.
I would only say to try not to miss this film despite the limited screens and timings, because this is certainly one movie that is worth its weight in gold. For those who cannot make it to the cinemas, the DVD is already out now, so you might just want to own it instead. Highly recommended, and goes into my shortlist of contenders for that end of year top movies list!
I understand this was a big hit in China
Ray H.22 July 2009
The script is great, and well structured. You Ge's buoyant character is an essence to this film's success. The serious activities of a man who is successful in business and seeks for a good marriage are funny, but convincing, still we can understand he has fallen into romance with a girl played by Qi Shu. It is also funny and interesting to see a variety of girls as his opponents from the match-making website.
I heard many Chinese tourists are now visiting Hokkaido, the north most part of Japan, as the location site of the film. Actually this location is well used and effectively involved.
The opening scene might look a little bit strange, and I hope the future viewers do not turn it off because of this opening. After 15 minutes, the film starts rolling and the substance is funny, light but later warm and mild.
I heard many Chinese tourists are now visiting Hokkaido, the north most part of Japan, as the location site of the film. Actually this location is well used and effectively involved.
The opening scene might look a little bit strange, and I hope the future viewers do not turn it off because of this opening. After 15 minutes, the film starts rolling and the substance is funny, light but later warm and mild.
Definitely NOT a Romantic Comedy!
asc856 March 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Why this film is described as a "Romantic Comedy" is beyond me. Although I'm American, my wife is Chinese, and grew up in Hong Kong, and she didn't see it as a comedy either, so I don't think it's just cultural differences here.
Rather, this is a film about 2 sad people...Ge You as Qin Fen is a wealthy but lonely inventor without any tact or social skills who's looking for a wife through online dating sites. And Shu Qi as Smiley, the flight attendant who is in love with a married man who will never leave his wife for her. For some reason, these two unhappy people bond with each other, and try to help each other out.
I remember that Jennifer Aniston in "The Good Girl" had her looks played down, and rarely smiled. This is similar to what they did with Shu Qi in this movie. Her jaw-dropping beauty and killer smile is rarely in evidence. Although Shu's getting older, she's not that old, and this role is definitely against type for what she typically does. This is even much different than her performance in "Three Times."
The film is worth a look, but unfortunately, nothing too special.
Rather, this is a film about 2 sad people...Ge You as Qin Fen is a wealthy but lonely inventor without any tact or social skills who's looking for a wife through online dating sites. And Shu Qi as Smiley, the flight attendant who is in love with a married man who will never leave his wife for her. For some reason, these two unhappy people bond with each other, and try to help each other out.
I remember that Jennifer Aniston in "The Good Girl" had her looks played down, and rarely smiled. This is similar to what they did with Shu Qi in this movie. Her jaw-dropping beauty and killer smile is rarely in evidence. Although Shu's getting older, she's not that old, and this role is definitely against type for what she typically does. This is even much different than her performance in "Three Times."
The film is worth a look, but unfortunately, nothing too special.
Another nauseating romantic comedy
barlenon11 September 2011
Well known Chinese actor, Ge You, plays a kind of geeky middle-aged man, an inventor, who after becoming rich, wants to fulfill his next ambition and get a girlfriend. The comedy aspect of the film is more successful as Ge You's character tries personal ads and meets with several unsuitable candidates. One of the candidates (played by Qi Shu) is an air flight attendant who is unsuitable in many ways including still being in love with another man who has rejected her. Despite mutual animosity, they develop a kind of twisted friendship and agree to help each other. Predictably they become more attracted to each other but have to overcome difficult obstacles to find real love. The comedy is kind of goofy and slapstick but sometimes amusing with some humorous but pointed criticisms of modern Chinese life. However, the more romantic second half of the film is overwrought and increasingly unbearable to watch as Qi Shu's character struggles with herself and Ge You's character becomes increasingly tolerant of her self torment. bleeech.
Okay movie, but very generic...
paul_haakonsen10 January 2016
Yes, this is yet another one of those very generic romantic comedies that are mass-produced and all follow the same guidebook of how-to-make-a-successful-romantic-comedy.
What made me sit down to watch this movie was solely because of Shu Qi. And she does an adequate job alongside You Ge, but they had so very little to work with by restrictions of a mundane script. And yes, this is one of those dislike-turns-to-love types of romantic comedies.
The story is about 40-something year old Qin Fen (played by You Ge) who is desperately trying to find a wife by posting an add on the Internet. He happens to meet with Xiaox Xiaox (played by Shu Qi), but they are not compatible. Qin Fin is a recent millionaire and Xiaox Xiaox is trying to mend a broken Heart. As fate will have it their paths cross again and an odd friendship starts to bloom.
The movie ran at just about two hours, which felt like an eternity towards the end. They should have cut away about 30 minutes to make it a movie that could sustain a hold on the audience.
"If You Are the One" (aka "Fei cheng wu rao") is not a memorable movie, unless you are a die-hard fan of anyone on the cast list. And there are far better choices of movies in this genre, should you be in the mood for a romantic comedy.
What made me sit down to watch this movie was solely because of Shu Qi. And she does an adequate job alongside You Ge, but they had so very little to work with by restrictions of a mundane script. And yes, this is one of those dislike-turns-to-love types of romantic comedies.
The story is about 40-something year old Qin Fen (played by You Ge) who is desperately trying to find a wife by posting an add on the Internet. He happens to meet with Xiaox Xiaox (played by Shu Qi), but they are not compatible. Qin Fin is a recent millionaire and Xiaox Xiaox is trying to mend a broken Heart. As fate will have it their paths cross again and an odd friendship starts to bloom.
The movie ran at just about two hours, which felt like an eternity towards the end. They should have cut away about 30 minutes to make it a movie that could sustain a hold on the audience.
"If You Are the One" (aka "Fei cheng wu rao") is not a memorable movie, unless you are a die-hard fan of anyone on the cast list. And there are far better choices of movies in this genre, should you be in the mood for a romantic comedy.
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