I watched it, a literary film with a completely different style. The magical realism theme of the movie is very novel. It not only does not make the story seem ethereal, but also roots it in the soil of reality. Absurdity has become an ultimate expression of life dissatisfaction and inner desire for breakthrough. In terms of narrative, the director cleverly uses non-linear structures, interweaving the past and present, gradually piecing together the complete life puzzle of Wang Zhantuan and Zhou Zheng, two "marginalized people". We see the misunderstandings and indifference they have experienced in their respective families. Zhou Zheng was ridiculed by his classmates for stuttering, and his family was helpless. Wang Zhantuan was seen as a "demon" and was detached from normal life.
The actors' acting skills are all very good, and Ge You's complex performance of Wang Zhantuan is extremely impressive. From the occasional confusion in the eyes, to the erratic behavior, to the deep desire for warmth and freedom in the heart, every subtle emotional change is handled perfectly. Wang Junkai is also impressive. He successfully shed the aura of an idol and portrayed Zhou Zheng's inferiority complex and stubbornness in a realistic and perceptible way. His stuttering performance was not stiff or artificial at all, and the visuals and music of the movie also added a lot of color to him. The cool toned visuals create a oppressive atmosphere, with music that is either melodious or passionate, closely following the development of the plot and further highlighting the emotional tone of the film. Always, this movie is not just a movie, it's more like a prose poem about humanity, loneliness, and redemption.
