Review of: Dumplings (2004)
- Film:
- Fruit Chan
Reviewed by: David M. Brown
- Rating:
- 4
On June 16, 2013Last modified:June 16, 2013
Summary:
It is a controversial film when it comes to the man ingredient for the dumplings but if you are not so easily intimidated then this is certainly worth considering more for the three main characters than for the undoubtedly difficult subject matter.
More DetailsAbout Dumplings (2004)
Starring: Miriam Yeung, Bai Ling, Tony Leung Kar Fai
Directed by: Fruit Chan
Runtime: 91 minutes
Studio: Palisades Tartan
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Review: Dumplings
Fruit Chan’s dark horror looks at the lengths one woman will go to in order to delay getting older and preserve herself. Mrs Li (Miriam Yeung Chin Wah) is a former actress who is now in despair due to losing her looks while her husband Mr Li (Tony Ka-Fai Leung) is a frequent womaniser and currently enjoying an affair with a much younger masseuse (Pauline Lau). All is not lost for Mrs Li though. She turns to Aunt Mei (Bai Ling), a local chef, who claims to have the secret to eternal youth. She has a recipe handed down in her family and the delicacy is dumplings. She assures Mrs Li that a regular diet of these dumplings will keep her young. Aunt Mei is a slender and youthful woman herself and although she doesn’t initially reveal her age she suggests she is much older than she looks.
You have to sympathise to an extent with Mrs Li. Although her husband is also ageing, he keeps himself fit and has no problem attracting younger women. His masseuse is young enough to be his daughter but that doesn’t stop him rolling back the years in taking her to bed. Mrs Li desperately wants affection from her husband and turning to Aunt Mei seems to be the last hope that she has. To say much else will be to spoil the entire plot but when Mrs Li begins to feel the positive effects of the dumplings, her obsession with youth continues to build and she demands even more from Aunt Mei.
One of the big questions is what does Aunt Mei put into the dumplings? This is where the film is exceedingly dark, controversial and will be too much for many people to watch. Although the film isn’t overly gory, the mere suggestion of this particular ingredient may prove upsetting for some people. With that in mind, this is probably not a film for the faint hearted and certainly not for those that don’t have a strong stomach. Although this element of the story is undoubtedly shocking, what is fascinating is the motivations of the characters and their mutual desires to defy the course of nature in seeking eternal youth. Ours is a world of vanity where many do frown and scorn upon the older amongst us, especially if they’re celebrities. Having been once loved and adored, Mrs Li wants to go back to that point in her life at whatever cost. Ling and Yeung take us through some fascinating exchanges between Aunt Mei and Mrs Li, and when Mr Li uncovers the truth his reaction is not necessarily a surprising one.
Dumplings addresses a relevant theme with the world of celebrity leaning towards being youthful and avoiding any signs of aging. It is a controversial film when it comes to the main ingredient for the dumplings but if you are not so easily intimidated then this is certainly worth considering more for the three main characters than for the undoubtedly difficult subject matter.
Verdict: 4/5
(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)
About the Author:
I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.
David M. Brown – who has written 714 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.