Myth of Love is a romance movie between middle aged Shanghaineses. It is written and directed by a woman Shao Yihui who is barely 30 and definitely not a Shanghainese. This is her first feature movie, it is star-studded.
The dialogue is mostly in Shanghainese, with subtitles! It gained success in Chinese movie theatres since its release on Dec 24th 2021, and raving review from film critics, making it the best ranking ever Chinese film in the romcom category on Douban. It reflects the imagination of the best urban romance Chinese middle class wants.
I have unfortunately not seen it. But I think the way people talk about it is interesting enough to share today.
The story of the film is simple: a middle-aged art teacher, divorced, met a single mom. They were attracted to each other, but his ex-wife and his art student, another middle aged woman, don’t want to leave them alone.
The main character, Mr. Bai, lives in a single house in one of the most prestigious neighborhood of Shanghai. He inherited it from his grandmother. He also let an Italian who can speak perfect Shanghainese living on the second floor for free. Because he is a real Shanghainese, I guess?
According to the director, Mr. Bai’s biggest attraction is that “he listens to women and respects them”. “He understands women and can have authentic communications”. “He gives real feedback in a conversation, unlike some men, who don’t listen at all. ” As a real Shanghai man, everyday, he does grocery shopping and cooking.
The director also emphasizes that Mr. Bai is “one of those single men in their forties with good income”. “They are very relaxed and open minded”.
The three women are all played by famous Chinese actresses, beautiful and stylish. Most importantly, they are free of financial worries and sure of themselves. They also like to give him money for some reason. They all seem to be interested in Mr. Bai. One of them is his ex-wife. They represent the ideal modern women - independent and self-assured. Other than that, I have no idea who they are. Reading many online reviews did not help.
They like the sleek cinematography. They like the images of old alleys of Shanghai and details of daily routine that is distinguishably Shanghai. They also like the fact that there is no single shot of the new modern sky-scrappers that people associate with Shanghai in the movie. It is supposed to be a Shanghai for the locals.
Coffee and western food are popular in Shanghai and in this movie. It is Shanghai, the most pro-west city in China.
For example, this is a comment from a CEO of a food chain in Shanghai.
(rough translation)
I personally know half of the staff of the movie, including the director, the main actors and the real person that the main character is based on. I was having so much fun watching it. I have no critic to share, because this is exactly the kind of life my friends and I have in Shanghai. I am sure someone won't like this movie, but my friends and I love it. Nothing will please everyone. I congratulate Shao for her first film. 5 stars.
Even for those who are not from Shanghai and don’t belong to this privileged class of people, many enjoyed the image of urban life that is filled with good humor, warm relationship, English pop songs in the background, coffee shops, western food, connection to the outside world with cultural references.
This movie is far from the war propaganda movie of “The Battle at Lake Changjin”. To many, that is a big positive.
Many articles about the director mentioned that her role model is Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
When asked about her feminism view, she said: “I am a relatively gentle person. I think views can be gently exported in the hope that more men will come to understand women. For example, the female characters I portray in this movies are the kind of people who don’t want to spend a man’s money, instead, they want to give him money. Many men think that women are snobs and gold-digging. They think if they don’t have a car or a house, they won’t be qualified to be in a relationship.” But of course this movie will convince them otherwise.
She said, she told the story through the view point of Mr. Bai, a man. Then men would accept and like this movie. Women would like this movie anyway because there are so many women in the story. But if it is from a woman’s view, men will not understand it. And normally there will be a very bad man in the story, and men will not accept it.
That caused anger among some feminists.
(rough translation)
I went to see Myth of Love because of the label of feminist, female perspective and post-90s (meaning born after 1990) female director. I was caught off guard and disgusted. The plot is about a few beautiful women fighting over a man who is like a pig. One night stand, jealousy. Worst, Ma Yili (the leading actress) plays a single mother who gives her daughter to Xu Zheng (Mr. Bai) to take care of. I can't tell that it was made by a female director born after 1990. It's full of middle-aged greasy men's fantasies.
Wow, I am a bit surprised.
“Middle-aged greasy men” is a popular internet slang referring to successful middle aged man who is out of shape with a big belly. They are normally ugly, unattractive, talkative, and like to hit on young women.
I am a bit interested in seeing the movie for myself to judge if this Mr. Bai is greasy or not.
A student of theater in London gave 2 star to the movie in her Douban review. Her criticism is mostly about the packaging and selling of a Bourgeois life. She said: “The frivolity and hollowness that results from the manipulation of contemporary cinema by capital and other factors, is then disguised as the life of the superior class. A kitsch achieved. And for the first time, Shanghai’s regional culture is also used to form a sort of complicity.”
Even without seeing the movie, I can understand this point. But I think the popularity of the film among some people also testifies that this is what middle class / middle aged Chinese want. The film give them a fantasy to hang onto. If not this fantasy, then “The Battle at Lake Changjin”.
I mean, in mainland China, the choices are not that many right now.
She mentioned that negative reviews of the movie were under attack. Critics have been insulted and some even deleted their posts. She herself was not spared.
I am not surprised.