This was a local movie to watch, because of Michelle Chong (The Noose).
As I walked into a fully occupied cinema hall on a weekday afternoon, even though it was not the one with the largest capacity in the cinema multiplex, there was no doubt that I was not alone in the reason to catch this movie.
After the show, I tweeted ‘一泡而红 #AlreadyFamous 是绝对诚意之作，且极富巧思。喜欢结尾的处理。’ (Already Famous is a sincere piece of work with some nice thoughts. Like the ending.).
Hence I was quite amused to be sitting next to a few local film makers some days later and hearing their fierce criticisms on this film. Some of the points I picked up:-
1. Story line was formulaic and not funny
2. Age difference between two leading casts is too obvious
3. Michelle did not give herself a role to showcase her talent enough
4. The directorial language is still more TV like than movie
I found myself not disagreeing with their views. Yet, I still stand by my tweet.
I stepped into the cinema with a frame of mind that I was going to watch a ‘local mass market’ movie by a theatre-turned-TV-turned-movie-artist, not forgetting this was her directorial debut (and possibly screen play debut). Having involved in two local productions in the past, I am guilty of having a lower expectation and benchmark when deciding on watching local movies (whether positioned as mass market or artistic).
But I was also genuinely touched by the movie when watching it, despite all the shortcomings. The writing while formulaic, did not feel forced. Being a Malaysian by birth, I could identify with the scenes set in Malaysia a lot. The actings were delivered mostly true to the characters (except for some caricature portrayals of Singapore entertainment circle). And the ending showed me the auteur in Chong.
In the chat with the local film makers, many bemoaned the disappointment that Chong did not capitalize on her popularity to create a piece of work which would bring her followers to a new level of film appreciation – instead she chose to create one that appeals to the current taste.
I am not sure if I can expect that from any film makers. But that would certainly set Chong ahead of other TV-Celebreties-turned-movie-artists in Singapore, if she is to do that with her next film effort.
If The Noose is a good indication of what Chong is capable of doing, then we can be hopeful that her next film work will not be Already Famous 2.
