IMDb RATING
7.3/10
4.2K
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An aging bachelor has to engage his old, laid-off friends to keep a blind girl happy as a masseuse at a non-existent massage parlor.An aging bachelor has to engage his old, laid-off friends to keep a blind girl happy as a masseuse at a non-existent massage parlor.An aging bachelor has to engage his old, laid-off friends to keep a blind girl happy as a masseuse at a non-existent massage parlor.
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- Stars
- Awards
- 5 wins & 4 nominations
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Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaDirector Zhang Yimou issued a casting call via the Internet for role of the blind girl. Eventual lead Dong Jie was selected from some 40,000 girls who auditioned for the role.
- Alternate versionsSPOILER: There are two cuts of this film; the original Chinese Theatrical Cut and an International Cut, which is six minutes longer. The International Cut features more content in the early scenes when the two couples come to the Happy Times Hut hoping to have sex. In the Chinese cut, these scenes are more ambiguous as to what the couples have in mind. Additionally, the International Cut has a longer and very different conclusion. In the Chinese cut, after Zhao (Benshan Zhao) writes the letter supposedly from Ying's father, the film cuts to him reading it to her as the credits start to role. In the International Cut, however, after Zhao leaves the restaurant in which he writes the letter, he is hit by a car. In hospital, his friends come to see him, finding the letter to Ying (Jie Dong). Upon returning to her apartment, however, they find it deserted. A tape recording Ying has made and left behind explains that she knew all along the Happy Times Hotel didn't exist, but she didn't mind as they were the happiest days of her life. She then explains that she is going to Shenzhen. After the message is finished, Fu (Biao Fu) plays it again, reading aloud Zhao's letter at the same time. The film then cuts to Ying walking along a crowded city street as the credits role.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: Martin Lawrence/Los Lobos (2002)
Featured review
This is one of the most touching films I've ever seen. I actually don't think I can find the words in English to describe how wonderfully director Zhang Yimou seems to understand the finer points of human emotions. I was absolutely touched with Happy Times, and consequently sought out his work, "The Road Home", which I found was equally excellent.
I wanted to wait to write a review of this film until I felt I could compose something fitting, but realized for me, the comments must come from the heart. In short, I'd rather skip any attempt to summarize the film or intellectually categorize it into some literal form that doesn't really fit. It is slowly immersing into unselfish love for another, while relating a sense of light comedy. My recommendation is that you try to see it on IFC or one of the other Independent film channels when it's available.
On Golden Pond is the only American film I can think of that evokes the same level of emotion provoked by Zhang Yimou.
I wanted to wait to write a review of this film until I felt I could compose something fitting, but realized for me, the comments must come from the heart. In short, I'd rather skip any attempt to summarize the film or intellectually categorize it into some literal form that doesn't really fit. It is slowly immersing into unselfish love for another, while relating a sense of light comedy. My recommendation is that you try to see it on IFC or one of the other Independent film channels when it's available.
On Golden Pond is the only American film I can think of that evokes the same level of emotion provoked by Zhang Yimou.
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Happy Time
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $1,900,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $240,093
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $31,084
- Jul 28, 2002
- Gross worldwide
- $361,000
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
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