介绍:
n recent weeks, going to see Miss Granny has being popular among Chinese students in the US.
The movie is about a 70-year-old widow who realizes she has been suddenly transformed back into her 20-year-old self but in the present day. She decided to use this magical second chance to pursue her dream of becoming a singer.
The movie is a remake of a 2014 South Korean movie that was also screened in the US. Although missing the holiday movie season and clashing with several Hollywood blockbusters including the third installment of the Hobbit and Night at the Museum, Miss Granny has pocketed over 320 million yuan from the Chinese mainland market in almost three weeks. It is now being screened in a number of AMC cinemas around the US. Apart from Chinese students, it has also attracted other members of the Chinese communities to check what the excitement is all about.
Zhan Chen has turned this story into a bestselling novel. He is attributing the success of the movie in China and among the Chinese communities in the US to the fact that it touches a nerve of both the younger and older generation.
"Everybody has something they wish they can have a second chance to make it right. That makes people know better the importance of making every moment counts. This is the shared standing point of nostalgia."
Zhan Chen says the success of the movie reflects a social phenomenon in China that young people in their 20s tend to look back into the so-called golden era more often than their father's generation who just want to open a new chapter even in their 60s or 70s.
Movie critic Mu Wei'er says the box office success of Miss Granny is not an accident.
"Why is it so popular? I think many people brought their parents and grandparents to the cinema. The producers put this into consideration. The movie is good for all ages."
Mu Wei'er argues it is the same logic behind the success of another classic remake screened in recent weeks - The Taking of Tiger Mountain. That movie, which is based on a household story back in the 1960s and 70s, has also been a success among the Chinese communities abroad.
Apart from the brilliant performance of veteran actress Kuei Ya-lei and young heart-throb Yang Zishan, writer Zhan Chen points out it is the strong Asian flavor that guaranteed the success of Miss Granny.
"You can say such kind of stories has been done many times. However, this one is so close to the real emotions and moral principles in Asia. That is its best selling point."
Playwright Shan Dandan says although the movie is a remake of a South Korean drama, the whole remake process is very specific in targeting its prime market.
"You can totally tell it is a Chinese story, not a South Korean story. Like in the South Korean version, grannies are selling coffee which is not uncommon in South Korea but in the Chinese version, they are playing Mahjong."
Shan adds good story-telling is the ultimate formula for Chinese movies or any movies that want to have a share in today's mainstream markets.
"I think the reason of its success is obvious because it follows the Hollywood rules of good story-telling. It is a popcorn movie with a good intention."
Critic Mu Wei'er echoes this view, saying a very local story can still be successful in other parts of the world as long as it has been told nicely.
"Ang Lee is a good example. Although his movies reflects Oriental cultures, it also garnered success in the western box office. It has been said being local leads to being global. A very local story can be accepted around the world as long as it's a good story."
The box office success and unexpected popularity of this movie is showcasing once again what makes a good movie.
For Studio+, I'm Xu Fei.
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