ENJOY YOURSELF (祝你幸福) (2024)

Genre: Drama
Director: Kang Bo
Cast: Xiao Yang, Song Jia, Ni Dahong, Wu Yue, Wu Yufang, Zhou Yiran, Ding Jiali, Liu Dan, Liu Jun, Liu Bateer
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins
Rating: PG13
Released By: mm2 Entertainment
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 17 October 2024

Synopsis: A couple, Luo Yu (played by Xiao Yang) and Bai Hui (played by Song Jia), get involved in a legal dispute over embryo ownership during their divorce cooling-off period, with Luo as a lawyer and Bai as a doctor. As the cooling-off period draws to a close, they gradually gain new insights into themselves, their marriage, and their family.

Movie Review:

Do not be fooled by the movie poster of this Mainland Chinese production directed by Kang Bo. Although it features happy colours and the characters are holding on to balloons, take a closer look and you will realise that all of them appear to have some emotional baggage weighing them down. The Chinese title of the movie means “wishing you happiness”, and the English title simply reads “Enjoy Yourself” – this also suggests that you will be feeling warm and fuzzy watching the movie, but it will not be the case.

Instead, there are many heavy hearted moments during the 112 minute movie that will have you thinking about the strained relationships you may have with your loved ones, and the regret that things will never go back to the way they were before.

The movie’s protagonists are Luo Yu (Xiao Yang) and Bai Hui (Song Jia), a lawyer and doctor respectively. When we first meet them, they are preparing to sign divorce papers and you know things are not looking good with their sullen expressions. The two of them then become involved in a case where the elderly parents of another couple are fighting over an embryo.

It turns out that the embryo belongs to a young man and woman who have met with an unfortunate accident. The man lost his life and the woman is in a vegetative state – how’s that for tragedy? Things turn unpleasant when the married couple’s parents argue over the ownership of the embryo, with Luo Yu and Bai Hui thrown into the picture to further complicate things.

There are many moments in the movie where the characters unleash their pain through dramatic breakdowns. The ensemble cast which also includes Ni Dahong, Wu Yue and Wu Yufang deliver emotionally crushing performances that will leave you empathising with their characters. You probably won’t be siding with any party because you wouldn’t want to be put in a similarly painful situation which they are going through.

One memorable scene involves Luo Yu and Bai Hui as we find out what happened in the past that resulted in their estranged relationship. Although the story is told through the tried and tested approach of flashbacks, it still stings when you witness the event happening on screen. Kudos to Xiao and Bai for being able to tug at viewers heartstrings with their portrayal of a broken couple.

The movie will be especially retable for parents because of their love for children whom they have brought to this world, and also everything they have done to raise their kids. While life may be unpredictable sometimes, trying to come to terms with tragic events is often easier said than done, and this drama explores the pain and healing that is involved in the journey. There are no simple solutions or clear resolutions for individuals who have experienced similar heartbreak, and perhaps this movie is a reminder that while the hurt is inevitable, there may be others who are going through the same ordeal and trying their best to stay strong.

Movie Rating:

(The ensemble cast delivers emotionally engaging performances in this heavy-hearted drama that may just offer solace to individuals who have experienced similar heartbreak)

Review by John Li