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Plot Summary
Cai has gone through a lot and is going through a lot. She is in the process of divorcing her husband, with whom she shares a daughter. Her father is sick, and her relationship with her mother is toxic. On top of that, she accidentally injured an old woman, and it is making life for her and her daughter hard.
But, unlike her sister, she can’t run from life, so she has to face it and flirt with any opportunity for happiness.
Cast and Characters
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Cai | Yu Aier |
Cai
Cai is a middle-aged housewife who is struggling. Her volatile relationship with her husband mirrors a lot of what she grew up with, and her relationship with her daughter is on a decline. She is unhappy, and while she knows what is making her unhappy, finding joy is a completely separate challenge.
Review
Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)
Good If You Like
- Character Studies
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On The Fence
It Teases at Interesting Stories But Doesn’t Follow Through
Throughout the film, various storylines are teased but not developed. Whether it is the hint of homoeroticism between Cai and her housekeeper, playing out what you may think is the story of Cai injuring an old woman, the dissolution of her marriage, the complicated relationship between her and her parents, her daughter, there are so many options presented.
Yet, none are taken in such a way to make you feel, to develop a connection, or really be invested to the point you don’t feel the need to check how much time you estimate is left.
As writer/ director Qiu Yang noted after the screening, this is a character study, and the character of Cai is partly based on his mom. So, similar to him, you are trapped in an outside-looking perspective and don’t really get to know Cai beyond what she tells you, and all you can get is peeps of her that don’t really tell a compelling story.
Background Information
| Film Length | 1 Hour 38 Minutes |
| Date Released | June 6, 2024 |
| Distributor | Tribeca Festival |
| Director(s) | Qiu Yang |
| Writer(s) | Qiu Yang |
| Genre(s) | Drama, Non-English (Mandarin) |
| Content Rating | Not Rated |
| Content Information | |
| Dialog | Cursing |
| Violence | Family Violence |
| Sexual Content | Nudity, Sexual Situations (Implied) |
| Miscellaneous | Smoking |
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