Boobirt Stylish but barely mediocre overall

SpecialsTarget Disturbing yet enthralling

SeeQuant Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction

Keeley Coleman The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

zzmale As a matter of fact, it happened quite frequently in China. This is the struggle of common people who were near the bottom of the society, without wealth or status. They do not desire much, a television set would be very satisfactory and they work diligently to accomplish their goals, and eventually success in the little progress made in improving their lives.

bob the moo Ermo makes and sells twisted noodles to feed her husband and her child. When her neighbour buys a TV and is the talk of the village Ermo sets out to buy the biggest TV in the town to outdo her. She works overnights, she gives blood etc in an effort to save the necessary money.This is essentially a satire on commercialism and greed - i.e. the onset of Western culture on the East. This shows Ermo working herself to exhaustion trying to get this TV, the TV being the model of happiness and height of aspiration. During the film we see her suffer while chasing this dream and she finds herself doing things that affect her and her family detrimentally.As a film this is very slight. It doesn't have an amazing plot but it is interesting and quite funny in places, but it really operates best as a message rather than a film. It is a clear swipe at the values of the West and their effect on the Eastern culture, with a downbeat conclusion. The performances are good, Ermo carries the whole film well and her husband is totally believable. Blindman is a key character and his wife provides some laughs.Overall this is more of a message than a film, but it is quite entertaining without shouting it's message at you

Libretio ERMOAspect ratio: 1.85:1Sound format: MonoWarm, amusing comedy-drama set in northern China where the proud, stubborn Ermo (Alia) works her fingers to the bone selling home-made noodles in order to trounce her snobby neighbors by saving enough money to purchase the biggest TV in the district. Despite this slender framework, the film is rich in characterisation and incident, such as Alia's budding romance with a married man (Liu Peiqi), a narrative thread which is alternately funny and poignant, and genuinely affecting. The acting is restrained and believable, and director Zhou Xiaowen frames and edits every scene to perfection. It's a bit too laidback to really jump off the screen, and its pleasures are minor, but you simply can't fault the craftsmanship on display.(Mandarin dialogue)

Jonathan Doron I haven't seen many movies from Hong Kong and/or China, but this light? drama seems to "fit in". The story revolves a strong, stubborn, hardworking simple woman from a village, with an impotent husband (physically or mentally, the first one here). Same as in Qui Ju da guan si (The Story of Qui Ju), Huozhe (Living/Lifetimes), Wian hun nu (Woman Sesame Oil Maker): all have stories and leading actresses completely perfect.Amazing story, gentle, at life's pace- but still without tiring repetition. Wonderful first half, the second doesn't lack great moments either. Highly recommended.