As much as I enjoy Asian movies, I was looking forward to getting to see "Red Light Revolution", especially with the 'China's first sex shop comedy' heading brandished on the cover. And I will say that the synopsis to the movie did seem rather interesting.
And now having seen the movie, I sit here and somehow wonder 'where did the comedy go?' For a comedy, then there were shockingly few laughs throughout the movie. At best, there was an occasional moment here and there that drew a smirk to the face, but not laughs.
The story is about Shunzi (played by Jun Zhao) who not only loses his job as a taxi driver - a job that he loves very much - but also comes home downtrodden to find his wife is having an affair. Out on his luck and out of his own house, Shunzi returns to his parents. After starting a rather demeaning job, he runs into an old class mate who sets him up for a deal that seems too good to be true; sell sex toys and earn lots of money quick and easily. Going into this 'dirty' business, Shunzi teams up with Lili (played by Vivid Wang), a new-found colleague.
I will say that the storyline and the setting for the story does seem outrageous, but in a good way. Sure, China may be less open-minded as many Western countries, but they are progressing, and this movie is a clear testimony to that.
The movie is far from dull, it just doesn't bring many laughs about. The story is good, and the acting is good. If you enjoy Asian cinema and want something that is not a traditional action, romantic comedy or horror - that Asia is well-known for, then "Red Light Revolution" might just be what you are looking for.
I am rating "Red Light Revolution" 5 out of 10, because it failed to deliver the laughs that I was expecting, but still, it did prove to be good enough entertainment. It is more of a light-hearted drama, than it is a comedy.
