SYNOPSIS:
Based on a true story, "THE DAYS" tells a cautionary tale between two brothers, set between 1989 and 1990. In a misguided effort to teach BABY independence and to make him feel protected, ZI LONG (Justin Chan) brings him into his own gang of delinquents, introducing him to his group nicknamed 'The 4 Heavenly Kings'- Dog (Derrick R), the silent fighter; Cockroach (Avery Ang), the loudmouth and Tauper (Kelvin Tan), the motorbike riding free soul together with their surrogate leader Jeremy Tan (Anthony Levi Kho). Unknowingly, his decision has thrown them both into a tumultuous and violent world that will, in different ways, imprison them both.
MOVIE REVIEW:
Let’s face it- the triad scene in Singapore will never compare to the glamour and power that gangs in Hong Kong possess. So for those looking for “The Days” to be a local version of Hong Kong’s Young and Dangerous, you’re definitely going to be disappointed. But what “The Days” lacks in muscle, it makes up for with a surprisingly dose of local realism.
Indeed, “The Days” is best appreciated as a cautionary tale of adolescent delinquency in Singapore. Set in the early ‘90s in Ming Fa Secondary School, the film displays many of the antisocial behaviours most of us would have witnessed at some point or another during our own secondary school days. Like how the upper secondary school boys blatantly flout the school rules- tucking out their shirts, keeping their hair long and worse still, terrorizing the lower secondary boys. Or the cliques that they form around school, each guarding its own turf around the canteen or the school field.
But “The Days” is more than a portrayal of such rebellious conduct. It is also about the graver consequence that such behaviour will eventually lead to criminal behaviour and a lifetime of living in the shadow of the mistakes of one’s past. Its admonition comes from its central story of two brothers Zi Long and Baby- the elder Zi Long being the one who brings Baby into his gang in hopes of protecting him. By the time Zi Long recognises the folly of his ways, Baby is already in too deep, and unable to escape the long arm of the law.
Comparisons with Royston Tan’s “15” are inevitable given the similarity in age of both “The Days” and “15”’s main characters. However, where “15” possessed much art house sensibilities, “The Days” has none of such pretensions. Instead, it is probably the most commercially assessible film on the subject of the Ah Beng phenomenon in Singapore- its most recognizable artistic flourish being the graphically stylized introductions to its various characters most akin to Kelvin Tong’s Eating Air.
First-time writer/director Boi Kwong deserves a firm pat on the back for delivering a competent film. Based loosely on his personal story, he displays a fine attention to detail to portray more authentically the look and feel of the 1990s in Singapore, right down to finding one of those long-gone Singapore Telecoms public phone booths. And while some scenes may feel overwrought, the movie as a whole still manages to avoid being farcical.
Considering the cast consists mostly of fresh new faces, it is admirable that Boi Kwong managed to coax believable enough performances from all of them. (Of course, the fact that some of the actors are the ITE College East’s lecturer’s own students probably helped.) Nevertheless, veterans Richard Low and Yeo Yann Yann (who play supporting roles) steal the scene every time they appear on screen.
“The Days” has not received much of a kind reception from the local press since it opened. While it certainly is no classic, it also does not deserve the drubbing it has received thus far. It still happens to be entertaining and meaningful. Coming from a cast and crew of novices, “The Days” is definitely praiseworthy. I’ll be sure to look out for what Boi Kwong has in store next.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
There’s a 40-minute “Making Of” that is fairly extensive in detailing the inspiration behind each of the characters, the casting process as well as the actual shooting. If that’s not enough, you can always try the “Director’s Commentary” with Boi Kwong and producer Randy Ang as they discuss scene by scene what happened on set.
Other features include “Deleted Scenes” and “Music Videos”- one of which is directed by Jason Ho who plays Rat in the movie.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
Nice visual transfer that brings out the colours of old-school Singapore richly. The Dolby 2.0 audio track leaves one yearning for better though.
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DVD
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Review
by Gabriel Chong
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