Romance of Our Parents (2014)

Sounds of A Family

This story is set at the onset of the Cultural Revolution in the 1950s/1960s. It was the times when all capitalist families were banished, western ideas were deemed corrupt and any association with elitism was seen as unpatriotic and condemned. Family members were pitted against each other, separated and moved away to be ‘rehabilitated’. This story is about what we call a true family. It is humorous and warm despite the trying times many were going through.

The Story
A divorced naval officer, Jiang De Fu (Guo Tao) falls in love with a beautiful girl, An Jie (Mei Ting) from a wealthy family. She is sophisticated and well educated whereas he is crude and poorly read. At first, she looks down on him, but because of her family background of being a capitalist, she is being sneered at and shunned, and can have no choice for a partner for marriage; any association with her is uncalled for. After some time getting to know him under various circumstances, she begins to see his qualities – kind, honest, humorous, witty, and compassionate among others. After a speech he gives about his own life, she is totally moved and falls in love with him, and they get married. After marriage, they continue to have 5 children, and this story is written by their youngest daughter who is a writer. In their old age looking back, despite all the ups and downs, bringing up a whole family and growing old together hand in hand perhaps is the best thing in life, and should be what life is all about - life is good.

The dialogues in this drama are hilarious, witty and unforgiving, and yet cute and endearing. Constantly sharp tongues lash out at each other, insulting with harsh words and yet, this is just harmless interactions soon forgotten; love often exudes in every word between the couple and within the family. Everyone talks this way, making it normal and no one feels insulted or upset. The dynamics between husband and wife, parents and children, siblings and siblings, friends and friends, are incredible, and well written and executed.

The story is told as it, exactly how things are. There’s no beautification for romantic effect. Everything is mature and up in the open including finding partners and having children. This is a great departure from the rom-coms that we are so used to involving younger actors with prudish characters.

The Characters and The Acting
This drama boasts some very fine veteran actors. Their acting is simply natural and convincing as if they are the real characters themselves. There’s some really amazing acting here by the whole cast too, in particular the child actors who are so wonderful showing the viewers amazing sibling dynamics and their relationship with the adults.

There are many flaws in each of the characters, but like us, no one is perfect. How the dynamics between the characters play out eventually make all these characters alive, realistic and relatable.

Jiang De Fu (Guo Tao) is perhaps the most lovable character in the story. Guo Tao may look too mature for a male lead in the beginning as a young naval officer, but as Jiang De Fu becomes a father and continues to be promoted to the position of a commanding officer, Guo Tao is perfect for the role. He looks amazing in his white naval officer uniform and his distinguishable charisma overpowers everything around him. Respected by all and yet warm and sincere to everyone, Jiang De Fu is simply an amazing husband, father, co-worker, subordinate and superior. He is tactful and articulate, manages to get the points forward without hurting feelings. With his wife, his subordinates, his children, his sister, his best friend, they banter, bicker and fight, yet they care for each other. Only he can deal with the strong character of his wife and defuse any tense situations with his negotiating skills.

An Jie (Mei Ting) comes from a wealthy family owning businesses. She is intelligent and well read. With a sharp tongue and unforgiving demeanor, she initially looks down on Jiang De Fu and his people for being ignorant and uncouth. She even feels his name is too unsophisticated and teases him. Since marriage, she constantly teaches him about hygiene and cleanliness. How she banters with her husband and bickers with his sister is really a joy to watch. Mei Ting’s portrayal is 100% as a by-gone ‘da xiao jie’ to a wife of a military officer with 5 kids. She is so natural and convincing.

As the younger sister of Jiang De Fu, Jiang De Hua (Liu Lin) has come from the rural area and is crude and simple minded. Despite the constant fights with her sister-in-law An Jie, she is loyal to her brother and his family. She helps take care of the household and all the children, and has become a very important part of the family. Over the years, her relationship with An Jie improves and they each care deeply for one another. Liu Lin’s performance is absolutely fantastic and applaudable.

My Verdict
This is a really delightful drama for the whole family. The inter-personal dynamics are very well written and performed. For a span of over 50 years, we see how life changes, from dating to marriage to parenting to growing old. Despite all the ups and downs, raising children and taking care of a household, life passes us quickly. Taking life as it comes, as how the characters in this story do, can help us see life with more enthusiasm, and love the people around us. Like we all have experienced, all the characters here bicker and fight all the time, as well as they tease and joke. After their harmless encounters, they make up and life moves on.

Life is good. Don’t miss this amazing family drama!

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