Dark horse emerges to wrap up the season
Updated: 2012-12-21 09:42
By Liu Wei (China Daily)
|
||||||||
Without participation of any A-list star, Lost in Thailand has become the most popular film in the year-end season. Provided to China Daily |
Lost in Thailand, a small-budget comedy made with only 20 million yuan ($3.1 million), has become a dark horse in the competitive year-end season.
It sold a stunning 300 million yuan in five days since its premiere on Dec 12, marking the highest-grossing first-week box office for a domestic film ever, and dwarfing hyped blockbusters in the same season, such as The Last Supper and Back to 1942.
The audiences' hunger for real entertainment in the festive year-end is obvious. But the season started with two depressing films, Back to 1942 - about a famine in which 3 million people died - and The Last Supper, about a dictator's ruthlessness.
Lost in Thailand came at the right time, but the more important reason for its popular and critical acclaim lies in a solid story, in which characters talk and act like real people.
|
The film follows a businessman's trip to Thailand, where he meets an overly talkative and extremely optimistic pancake maker, who turns his trip into one hilarious misadventure to another. It tickles the viewer's funny bone not merely because of the slapstick jokes copied from the Internet, like in the case of most comedies in China nowadays, but because of the way the story develops.
There is no A-list star, special effect, or kung fu in the film. For a long time, the three elements are the traditional pillars propping up strong box office performance.
Since the success of Zhang Yimou's Hero and House of Flying Daggers about 10 years ago, Chinese audiences have seen such "typical" Chinese blockbusters year after year. Unfortunately, behind the visual lavishness is often a flimsy story that few could relate to.
Such films are losing their mojo after years of repetition. So when a different type of film, especially a quality one shows up, it easily captures audience attention.
The film also reminds those who rush to make 3-D or IMAX films that a special format movie does not ensure its success.
Although the ticket is better priced, how many viewers it attracts still depends on the story.
- 'Taken 2' grabs movie box office crown
- Rihanna's 'Diamonds' tops UK pop chart
- Fans get look at vintage Rolling Stones
- Celebrities attend Power of Women event
- Ang Lee breaks 'every rule' to make unlikely new Life of Pi film
- Rihanna almost thrown out of nightclub
- 'Dark Knight' wins weekend box office
- 'Total Recall' stars gather in Beverly Hills
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Health new priority for quake zone
Xi meets US top military officer
Japan's boats driven out of Diaoyu
China mulls online shopping legislation
Bird flu death toll rises to 22
Putin appoints new ambassador to China
Japanese ships blocked from Diaoyu Islands
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |