Written and directed by Lan Hongchun, co-written by Zheng Xuanxuan, Yang Leng and Zhu Liyun, Xiaowei travels to Thailand to find his “billionaire grandfather” whom debt problems have kept out of contact, but unexpectedly finds that the one who was corresponding with his grandmother for years is not her husband. Starring: Li Sitong, Wang Yantong, Wu Shaoqing, Zheng Runqi and Wang Xiaohui.
It’s not that often you find a (just under) two hour feature which is genuinely charming from start to finish, but Dear You is one of them. Right from the start Lan Hongchun instils in the film a scrappy, loyal, generous personality. The style he crafts is unabashedly wholesome, it’s a lovely throwback to classic cinema and a more graceful, modest tone. Especially because the atmosphere is an engaging blend of hope, sadness, love and respect.
What all of those choices create is a piece of entertainment which is easy viewing and yet it packs a quiet punch. It’s the type of film that slowly but surely builds its emotional impact, it never imposes a heavy weight upon its viewers, but it will keep adding a little at a time until it’s ready to hit you with its final moving note. The visual style similarly feels like a throwback, it’s simple but elegant, it flows with a patience and kindness, and the colouring holds a familiar warmth.
Of course, to pull off all of that wholesome, earnest charm you have to have the right cast, and Dear You certainly does. This is truly a terrific ensemble, Li Sitong gives such an excellent performance with so much to say, even if she doesn’t actually say much. Wang Yantong brings so much personality to the table, he has that quintessential bursting energy of youth and somehow qualities of both a dreamer and a sincerely hard worker. Then there’s a superb ensemble behind them, it’s effortless to watch this group at work.
Dear You is utterly charming, warm, big-hearted and sweet. It’s a lovely tale of family, community and coming together to get through life’s hardships. It has an unassuming, humble visual style, an atmosphere which is full of wholesomeness and kindness, yet it also manages to build a genuine sadness. It holds a lot of spirit, it’s touching and lovingly pays respect to a piece of Chinese heritage.
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