I did cry a river
Bear with me, this is my first review ever. I found this movie whilst scrolling on tiktok and finding a montage of said movie. I've never been too inclined toward Chinese cinematography because I've rarely watched any realization that made me go "wow" or that succeeded in making me interested enough to keep watching until the end.This movie has its flaws, saying otherwise would be lying (mainly in the making process, some things are only seen through flashbacks which makes it hard to really have full empathy toward the mc to a certain point, you will still cry because at the end of the day the mc can only get to you and the actor playing her character does it very well). However, it is an overall great movie that I enjoyed watching and could be rewatching in the future. The acting was, for the most part, good (the mc really did great and the emotions get well transfered to the viewer.
Like I said that's my first review so bear with me because I know really well how messy this redaction ended up lmao.
Will definitely keep it as a "I am sad, I need emotional support by crying all the water I have in my body, life is unfair" kind of movie.
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Cry Me a Sad River is a Chinese movie that talks about school violence. I was hesitant to watch it at first since I don't really like to watch anything heavy at the moment but I'm glad I did and it wasn't that heavy. If you're scared and have doubts because of the title (just like me, lol) then don't. It was more of an easy watch despite the sensitive and troubling mood of the show.
Despite the seemingly low budget for the movie, the cinematography was good and has helped the overall mood of the movie. It also came as surprising to know that all actors are newbies and this is their first project. The main actress Ren Min was incredibly outstanding. Her performance deserves to be lauded. She has conveyed properly the emotions of a girl bullied, a girl who is afraid yet took a stand, a girl who hesitates but went all out. Her actions, her facial expressions, body movements and gaze all speak and made the character more interesting yet pitiful and I feel really really bad for her. Sun Yi (Xin Yun Lai) is the man of the show. He gives light and sunshine to the dark theme of the movie. I liked how his character was caring to the female lead and doesn't get swayed by any rumors. He helps Yi Yao fight through her bullies and became her knight and shining armor. I didn't care much about the other characters so I'm only going to talk about these 2 characters.
Overall, I liked what I saw. Though I wish it was longer and didn't cut some scenes. There was a point where I thought Yi Yao was just imagining things because what the have shown are only flashbacks and tidbits of some of the more important scenes esp. the bullying part. Only if they didn't rush things, it could probably be even better. They could make it a 2+hour movie instead of 1hr & 40 min runtime.
Btw, there is a drama version of this already. It is currently airing and stars Zheng Shuang and Ma Tian Yu. I don't know if I have the guts to start it since the 50+ episode scares me, lol. The movie may be a bit short in its run time, but 50 episodes for a drama of this kind are quite long. Even though I liked the film, I'm going to have the 'wait & see' game with the drama version.
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THIS MOVIE WAS SO GOOD
I recommend this movie to everyone. If ur having second thoughts about watching it just watch it, I promise u this movie is good. It was sad and made me cry a lot but was also very eye opening. The acting is super good. The way the actors portray the emotions is just *chefs kiss* WATCH IT PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I need 500 characters to post this review so don’t mind me I’m just gonna allskdkwowlalsndnfjjeeu ueywiwoaoskdnfnfnjfueueieowoaoldndndnfwkkslslskskwkwkwkwkwklwqllwlwlwlwlwlwkekejfkeoowlwnwndnfjhfueieowlskkdlwoqowieuruytghcjldlsirfuueiwoworuufjcjcnskslwieufueioqoqowoeorirkrk I think this should be good enough
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This review may contain spoilers
Why
This film is so good to show people what actually happen in this world. And to make people realize that we need to open our eyes. And this film really makes me sad because I can relate. Not me me but I see this in my school. My best friend gets bullied and it is the worst feeling. I wish I was her cause I watch this happen every day at school I can’t stand that the school can’t do anything like nothing is happening, I just want to be her I can not stand this any longer. I just her being anxious about going to school because of all the ones that are so bad to her. And just like the movie those that hurt her laugh about it it makes me even angrier. And it is not just her they say bad things about other people and everyone can hear and they just laugh about it. Why must this happen why!Was this review helpful to you?
The story line were great but kinda poorly executed
The story goes around Yiyang who had been bullied and her harsh life. It was bitter sweet story with deep message especially the ending.I was confused by how the story went because of the directing and scene transition kinda messy also the slow motion effect is pretty bad. It lacks of depth on some important parts.
Either way the actors did very well.
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It is such a meaningful movie
I'm a bit hesitant about the choice of the actress because I felt I needed more at some point in the movie.I love the music choice, and the flow of the plot is just excellent.
I don't think I've watched a lot of movies such as this one.
Bullying is a sensitive topic to talk about, especially in school, but this one elaborated on how bullying isn't something to be underestimated. Anyway, you'll get an accurate concept better when you watch it. But it's a very heart-wrenching movie, so you better prepare yourself. And if you are not into tear-jerkers, you might want to reconsider finishing this movie.
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Realistic and heartbreaking plot but production was rushed
I’ve saw reviews on this film and many had said it was really sad and would make me cry. I anticipated shedding some tears, and though I didn’t, I felt the pain and sorrow of this whole storyline. It’s raw and gives a perspective on how bullying can take such impacts on a person/who they love as well. I just felt that the production and the way it was executed went by very quickly. I think if we took a moment to really understand the situation, it would’ve made me cry for sure. We went from one clip to another without truly appreciating the music, feelings or visuals. I wish that the producers would’ve made the film more slow-paced, so we can learn more about what the film is telling us and the lessons we should grasp.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Best chinese movie I have ever watched!!
Just got done watching it so everything is still fresh in my mind. The acting is great. Even when they had a blank face, you can tell exactly what they were feeling and it was enough to make me cry. This is probably the saddest movie I have ever watched. I ugly cried continuously most of the time. The storyline was so sad. Amazingly directed. I would rewatch this like 50 times straight and still not get bored. I came across this when I was looking for a similar movie to Better Days and I have to say, this is actually better. If you guys watched these and you know more movies or shows like this, PLEASE TELL ME BECAUSE I'M DYING TO FIND ANOTHER ONE. You can really feel all the emotion building up from the start of the movie to the point she killed herself. It was really realistic too. When she realized she had something against her bully who leaked her secret to everyone, she actually threatened to tell everyone. In most other movies, they would say something stupid like "Don't worry, I won't tell. I won't stoop as low as you" but this was way better. I feel like all of us would've at least scared the bully by threatening to tell everyone just like she did in the movie. This was the best thing my eyes have ever witnessed and everyone should watch it ASAP.Was this review helpful to you?
Beautiful cinematography and great message, but a little overdramatic
This was almost the perfect melodrama. I really loved the way they portrayed differing worldviews between different characters based on different upbringings.The relationship between the FL and SML were undoubtedly the best part of this movie; I kind of wish they'd have gone more into that because it was short-lived and kind of one-sided. Other than that, the SFL also was a really great character and I also wish she got more screentime. The pacing overall was okay, but plot points aren't really explained much. This movie is more about the feeling.
The anti-bullying message was really powerful, but I kind of wish it didn't get so explicitly didactic near the end of the movie with all the political and legal references.
With that being said, I think sometimes the way the movie was filmed really felt just a tad bit over-the-top, with monologues that were beautiful but so literary sometimes it kind of took me out of the movie because "who talks like that?" Other than that, the filmography is pretty great; there's a lot of time dedicated to montages and stuff though, so if you like a more in-the-scene sort of movie, this isn't it.
I really liked the ending (unfortunately I didn't really cry at all) but overall this was a decent watch.
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an eyeopener on the school bullying
●HOW I CAME TO ITI rewatched this movie and it as the same feeling when I first watched it.
I am writing this review to to make my heart hurt less.
I am overwhelmed with the movies deep trance. For a few minutes I was like what happened. It made a huge emotional impact on me.
●PLOT VIEW
A young school girl who took such a huge step, was it easy for her NO. She feared it too but then life was more painful to her. The abandonment from family, the social ostracization, name calling and murder suspect. With each passing day she struggled hard and reaches out to everyone in the climax river scene who just stood there as passive bystanders in the past and now too.
Mother daughter transitioned relationship was terrific. At the same time qi ming who lived next door, and his happy life gives a great juxtapose with a rich and happy with poor and cold family.
The one childhood friend who talked to her got washed away in the lies and rumors. no one trusted her. he see her fighting back, but where is he when she got stepped on by the bullies.
That friendship among the crowd of bullies is another emotional undertone. She was strengthened but at last she loses that one ray of hope in her life.
Our society thinks, oh she is a school girl what problems could she have. But the same society doesn’t accept us if we don’t have good background or rich parents. If one gets a mental health problem or any kind of disease, people view them as untouchable felonies.
●ACTIING/CAST
Ren Min as yi yao aced her role, with her innocent face and deep eye expression.
Xin Yun Lai as gu sen xi is fresh and upbeat character in the gloomy movie. He really stands out.
Zhao Ying Bo as qi ming as childhood friend seemed nice, he gives his vibes of friendliness nicely.
Vivian wu as the ignorant mother was an ace too. She is like a huge pillar in support of a building.
●REWATCH
I rewatched it and liked it more than the first time.
●APPRECIATION
The cinematography is amazing. The use of lightening, the standout uniform, each scene is bewitching.
●CRITICISM
Where was the school administration when all the bullying was happening. Isn't it a school obligation to give a safe environment to all the students. school also put the blind eye to all the bullying and instead turned her into a guilty for fighting, please do a proper investigation for gods sake.
The parents bully kids should also have kept their eyes open on what there kids are upto. No body is born bully, but what leads them to doing so is. We sympathize with the victim but lets also take a peek on bully and give them an enlightenment on what's wrong and right.
●QUOTES
Death is not painful. Life is. - YI YAO
They know you’re afraid and they are excited. Your fear is the stimulus. You need to fight. Eye on eye. Teeth on teeth. - GU SEN XI
●AFTERTHOUGHT
The movie is sad and depressing reflecting the social norms of the society. Its dark yet realistic movie. Its incredible poignant representation might leave soul stirring impact so if weak hearted avoid it.
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I have watched the series version with Zheng Shuang and Ma Tian Yu and I really enjoyed watching the story as well.
Both the movie and series deal with a difficult and more mature issue, such as bullying, divorce and suicide (Not your typical c-drama romance topic). The actors and actresses I thought portrayed their roles well, especially the movie version. It's like you can feel her heartache and sorrow just by looking at her eyes.
This movie (and the series) are not for everyone, but if you like a "darker" drama theme, I would definitely recommend watching the movie and the series.
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too much emotional
my favourite actor died so for me it had a sad ending but can't say it had happy ending . The main character to whom story revolved got justice at the end . Due to one incident the whole life of some characters of the drama had changed . They went to deep sadness this had been shown at the end of the story . it was very emotional and touchy story . I had cried at watching some scenes of the movie.acting by the actors were good .
must watch it .
How bullying destroyed the life of student this was an important part of the story . Jealousy leads to destruction this also been shown in the movie.
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