A provocative, touching, surprising and obliquely illuminating piece.
Happy Times
An hilarious look at life and the pursuit of happiness!
2000 · 1h 42m · PG
Comedy, Drama
Directed by
Zhang Yimou
Overview
Zhao is an old laid-off worker who's dreaming of getting married. After trying unsuccessful proposals, he finally pairs off with a gargantuan divorcée with two children. She, however, demands a lavish wedding and that Zhao finds a job and another place to stay for her blind step-daughter. Pretending he's the General Manager of a non-existent posh hotel "Happy Times", Zhao has to find ways and means of keeping both mother and stepdaughter happy.
Director and cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
Not a film to rival To Live, but a fine little amuse-bouche to keep your appetite whetted.
Metaphors abound, but it is easy to take this film at face value and enjoy its slightly humorous and tender story.
The performances are winning all around. And the comic, slice-of-life feel is charming, but takes a hike as the film progresses.
The film's maudlin focus on the young woman's infirmity and her naive dreams play like the worst kind of Hollywood heart-string plucking.
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