3 reviews
A recently deceased, shy, and reclusive girl discovers that even in the afterlife it is necessary to be popular, influential, and talented. Since she lacked such attributes while living, it is like a second death sentence to try to prove herself again. Fortunately, there are other misfit ghosts who sympathize with the girl and are willing to help. The girl needs a license to scare people and her new friends vow to get her one. But there is competition. A gang of rising stars in the underworld challenges the girl. Shock and mayhem ensue as the ghost gangs battle to see who is the scariest.
This thoughtful and insightful film surprised me with depth, warmth, and genuine humor that I did not expect from this midnight madness genre. There is sympathy for a gentle, kind, and good girl who just wishes to be seen and known.
The director and leading actors were present for this world premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Hsu's own father encouraged him to be well known, as the main character in the film struggles to accomplish. The film is based on actual urban legends from Taiwan. While the rapid-fire Mandarin is difficult to keep up with at times, it is still preferable to listening to a dubbed version.
This thoughtful and insightful film surprised me with depth, warmth, and genuine humor that I did not expect from this midnight madness genre. There is sympathy for a gentle, kind, and good girl who just wishes to be seen and known.
The director and leading actors were present for this world premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Hsu's own father encouraged him to be well known, as the main character in the film struggles to accomplish. The film is based on actual urban legends from Taiwan. While the rapid-fire Mandarin is difficult to keep up with at times, it is still preferable to listening to a dubbed version.
- Blue-Grotto
- Sep 23, 2024
- Permalink
"Dead Talent Society" is not only incredibly humorous but also a thought-provoking comedy. It presents a concept where people, after death, seem to live once more and go through endless cycles of reincarnation. However, the essence of life remains unchanged. Even though one's lifestyle may differ after death, life's inherent frustrations remain constant. This invites deeper reflection on the nature of existence.
The collaboration between Gingle Wang and director John Hsu, which first caught my attention in their earlier work on Detention, has once again proven to be compelling. While Detention had a faster-paced rhythm and excelled in creating an immersive atmosphere-highlighting the director's skill in capturing actors' subtle expressions-Dead Talent Society demonstrates an even greater mastery of comedic timing. It adeptly balances humor and emotional depth, allowing certain viewers to engage in reflection on life while also catering to a wider audience. Although the story is set in a post-death world, it inevitably leads one to ponder a profound philosophical question: What is the purpose of life?
Sandrine Pinna's performance is particularly impressive, as she vividly portrays a character that embodies both frustration and affection. It's also worth mentioning that the relationships between characters are beautifully depicted, emphasizing the power of support and connection. Even the divide between life and death cannot sever these bonds. These heartwarming interactions bring a smile to the audience's face, adding depth to the story and making the characters even more endearing.
The film's world-building seems to offer ample room for further development. While I look forward to potential spin-offs or related works, I also worry that over-expansion might risk diluting the integrity of this fascinating universe.
The collaboration between Gingle Wang and director John Hsu, which first caught my attention in their earlier work on Detention, has once again proven to be compelling. While Detention had a faster-paced rhythm and excelled in creating an immersive atmosphere-highlighting the director's skill in capturing actors' subtle expressions-Dead Talent Society demonstrates an even greater mastery of comedic timing. It adeptly balances humor and emotional depth, allowing certain viewers to engage in reflection on life while also catering to a wider audience. Although the story is set in a post-death world, it inevitably leads one to ponder a profound philosophical question: What is the purpose of life?
Sandrine Pinna's performance is particularly impressive, as she vividly portrays a character that embodies both frustration and affection. It's also worth mentioning that the relationships between characters are beautifully depicted, emphasizing the power of support and connection. Even the divide between life and death cannot sever these bonds. These heartwarming interactions bring a smile to the audience's face, adding depth to the story and making the characters even more endearing.
The film's world-building seems to offer ample room for further development. While I look forward to potential spin-offs or related works, I also worry that over-expansion might risk diluting the integrity of this fascinating universe.
This film is a delightful blend of fresh and abundant humor that keeps the audience thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The premise is both unique and intriguing: a ghost who desperately wants to avoid fading away into nothingness so that he can continue watching over his family, staying connected to their lives even after death. To achieve this, the ghost must master the art of scaring people, making his presence known to the living in order to maintain his existence in the human world. The irony, however, is that in trying to become a ghost who doesn't disappear, the ghost ends up working harder and living more rigorously than he ever did when he was alive, just to remain in this world.
What makes this film truly special is how it intertwines its comedic elements with deeply thought-provoking themes. While on the surface it may seem like a lighthearted comedy about a ghost trying to scare people, it actually explores profound ideas about life, death, and the lengths we go to in order to stay connected with those we love. The ghost's journey is both humorous and poignant, as he learns various scare tactics and practices them tirelessly, all for the sake of remaining close to his family.
The relationships between the characters are beautifully portrayed, with a strong emphasis on mutual support and the bonds that tie them together, even across the boundary between life and death. These moments of connection bring a warm smile to your face, adding depth to the story and making the characters even more endearing.
This film is truly a rare gem-a perfect balance of humor, heart, and deep reflection. It's a movie that will make you laugh out loud, but also leave you with a sense of profound emotion, as it touches on universal themes of love, loss, and the desire to stay close to those we care about. I highly recommend seeing this film in theaters, as it offers an experience that will make you both laugh and cry, leaving a lasting impact on your heart and mind.
What makes this film truly special is how it intertwines its comedic elements with deeply thought-provoking themes. While on the surface it may seem like a lighthearted comedy about a ghost trying to scare people, it actually explores profound ideas about life, death, and the lengths we go to in order to stay connected with those we love. The ghost's journey is both humorous and poignant, as he learns various scare tactics and practices them tirelessly, all for the sake of remaining close to his family.
The relationships between the characters are beautifully portrayed, with a strong emphasis on mutual support and the bonds that tie them together, even across the boundary between life and death. These moments of connection bring a warm smile to your face, adding depth to the story and making the characters even more endearing.
This film is truly a rare gem-a perfect balance of humor, heart, and deep reflection. It's a movie that will make you laugh out loud, but also leave you with a sense of profound emotion, as it touches on universal themes of love, loss, and the desire to stay close to those we care about. I highly recommend seeing this film in theaters, as it offers an experience that will make you both laugh and cry, leaving a lasting impact on your heart and mind.