Getting HomeIf the motherland were a river, I would be a fish swimming happily. If the motherland were a road, I would be a car moving forward happily. If the motherland were a tree, I would be a leaf waving in the breeze happily. (quote from Movie)
The film follows a migrant worker's adventure in carrying his friend's dead body home, as Chinese people believe that it is the ultimate misfortune if a person cannot be buried in his hometown after death. Old Zhao who works in a city far away from home. His friend Liu unfortunately dies, and Zhao decides to carry his corpse all the way home. On his way, Zhao meets various interesting people who, moved by his loyalty to his friend, give him a hand.
I feel life is unpredictable, consisting of ups and downs. Sometimes you may be in high spirits, but at other times you can feel very low. Sometimes you may meet very good people, but don't forget villains do exist. Sometimes you may bound forward and run quickly, but you can be found staggering along one night.
After a dead leaf falls down, it is absorbed by the soil and a new plant will grow.The cycle of birth, growth and death repeats itself, like the river in the last scene. That's life huh...
No matter how feeble and helpless we may feel sometimes, human beings will still struggle with the environment and fate for an opportunity to live. Ahead of us are lots of things to experience, exciting and depressing. Nevertheless, because of pain, we know what pleasure is. That's just like the walking scenes in the movie. When the girls working in the field, cars, cow and bicycle pass by, we know how fast Old Zhao walks. Audience may pay attention to the symbolic meanings of different vehicles in the movie e.g. bicycles, coaches, carts, private cars, trucks, buses, etc. If we were doomed to the sufferings, what we are able to change would be the way in which we interpret them. Be positive and never give up!
The movie ends suddenly and the unfinished business may puzzle some members of the audience. However, I personally find it very meaningful and symbolic. The ending successfully upgrades this can-be-typical road movie to an abstract motto. "Life is a road comprising UPS and DOWNS. Do live each day happily as it comes and enjoy life to the full!" The ending also symbolically implies that human beings should not always emphasize the importance of results. Instead, we should pay attention to the process.
Those touching moments, black humor, superb acting and the meaningful ending make this road movie a unique and impressive one causing catharsis (release of emotional tension) if know wad i mean. I was moved to tears and laughter and people may ponder on the meaning of LIFE after watching this movie.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! (9.5/10 rating)
View trailer @ http://video.xanga.com/lauwaiying/2b9e7250496/video.html
