It's My Time

Robert Daniels3.5

Based on a true story, It’s My Time is an effortlessly lovable blend of Chinese melodrama and uplifting sports movie. The sport in question is the Rubik’s Cube, to which tempestuous grandmother Zhao Yanhong (Michelle Yeoh) is introduced when a washed-up former champion Wu Youwei (Liu Haoran) comes to teach a class at her senior home. An ambitious Zhao sees money-making potential and hires Wu to be her coach, inspiring a strong bond between them. The result is a tear-jerker that re-imagines the sports genre, and is especially memorable because of Yeoh’s committed, crowd-pleasing performance. [full review via Screen Daily]

mitc3.0

Natürlich ist der Film interessenkonzipiert als schmissige Kurskorrektur gegen Altersdiskriminierung in China und Hong Kong, aber er macht, wenn er ein klischeehafter Motivationsfilm errichtet auf einfachsten Wettbewerbs-Tropes ist, mit einer schön salzigen Yeoh und gutem Supporting Cast schon ziemlich Spaß. Nur einige arg rührselige Momente an Brechstangen-Melodram zünden nicht, und visuell ist an „It's my Time“ nichts herausragend, trotz der Social-Media-Gimmicks und dem kommerziell flashigen Editing. (Die wichtigen Plot-Elemente Mathematik und Rubix-Cube sind (für mich zumindest) aus westlicher Perspektive dezidiert uncool, und das trägt leicht unabsichtlich durchaus zur Erheiterung bei.)

sydknee4.0

1. first standing ovation at tiff2. michelle yeoh, curse you for making me finally cry at a film at tiff…ironically this was the most uplifting film i’ve seen thus far…3. also kudos for having the best Q&A so far4. genuinely just loved this film. it was exactly what I needed after witnessing so much darkness from my other tiff screenings5. the editing was so fun! the story was so sweet and POSITIVE!!6. the relationship between shuzhen and zhao was a major highlight for me, and then what michelle said in the Q&A about how she hopes everyone in life is lucky enough to have a best friend (non-blood related family), UGH! friendship is everything and theirs touched me so deeply. THE CROCHET MAGIC CUBE HOLDER!!!7. idc if this was formulaic and predictable, it made me feel happy, and that’s more than enough in life