beesaih

Rewatched this after years, holds up surprisingly well.

Rewatched this after the initial theatrical run and it holds up even better on a second viewing. Details in the background that I missed the first time around add so much to the world-building. The lead pair have genuine chemistry, which honestly saves a script that's fairly thin on plot. Comedy track involving the extended family is hit or miss — mostly hit, occasionally overstretched. Cinematography leans heavily on wide establishing shots that slow the pace but look gorgeous. By the end I wasn't thinking about the plot holes anymore, just enjoying the ride. Not a perfect film but a genuinely fun one.

Went in cold and came out completely won over.

First-day-first-show energy in the theatre made this twice as fun as it probably deserved to be. Whistles and claps through the entire second half, the crowd was fully locked in. Judging this purely on script terms would be unfair — this is a theatrical experience first. The interval block is one of the best I've seen this year, genuinely well staged. Second half loses some steam once the initial high wears off, but recovers for the climax. Music is serviceable, a couple of tracks will probably grow on me after a few more listens. For the FDFS crowd energy alone, this was worth being there for.

Solid, if a bit safe in the places it could have pushed.

Held up much better than I expected on a rewatch.

One of those films the whole hall was invested in.

A crowd film in the best sense of the term.