Quickcard Review Getting Home (Luo Ye Gui Gen)
Directed by: Zhang Yang Cast: Zhao Benshan, Hong Qiwen, Song Dandan Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes Rating: Unrated Release Date: November 27, 2009
Global Lens 2009
PLOT: An older man brings his dead friend to his home in the Three Gorges Dam region to be buried and reunited with his ancestors. It's a buddy movie between a man and a corpse.
WHO'S IT FOR? People who like foreign films, not fans of Weekend at Bernie's.
OVERALL
I had to draw the Weekend at Bernie's comparison early on because although this isn't a wacky '80s comedy, it does involve a relationship between a living man and one who is dead. Zhao (Benshan) carts his deceased friend, Liu, home across much of China because of a promise he once made. The film walks a fine line between buddy comedy between a living and dead man and drama about the importance of devotion. Because it's not a Hollywood film, no one forces the filmmaker to make a choice and somehow it manages to do both simultaneously. Benshan gives a strong performance as a man trying to do right by a friend. He doesn't ask for anyone's help or go to authorities, he merely puts Liu on a bus and pretends his friend is sleeping. Once this ruse is figured out, their time on the bus is limited, but Benshan's determination helps the viewer accept the plot. It seems outlandish, and the way people they meet behave varies. What's really surprising to me is that no one runs off to tell the cops. In America, carting around a corpse will get you in trouble pretty fast, but people in Zhao's world seem happy to help, or at least not get involved. I'm assuming this a reflection on modern day China, and certainly Zhao's acceptance of what he owes his friend.
The premise may sound weird, and it is a little, but it also works surprisingly well. I really enjoyed this movie and wasn't tempted to look at my watch like I often am. I've seen some of Yang's other films and this one is much better. He seems to be really improving as a director which is great because he's one of the few who creates contemporary slice of life dramas. I really look forward to seeing what he does next.
FINAL SCORE: 7/10