Ex-File 4 (2023)

A masterpiece in love philosophy.

As an avid fan of Chinese movies and a long-time fan of the Ex-File series (Hey, 体面 is one of me go-to songs when I'm at a karaoke). I really, thoroughly loved this movie.

The plot is a direct sequel to ex-files 3 in which our titular meng yun is now single, with baggage from his previous break-up with lin jia. Our ever humorous Yu Fei and Ding Dian are still up to their ever so entertaining couple shenanigans, including the thoroughly enjoyable couple fights - favourite of which are where a tray of shot glasses are lined up and whoever does something wrong in the relationship has to take a shot. Those scenes are amplified and even better in the sequel.

As a romance comedy, I can tell you the comedy and writing is extremely entertaining, enjoyable and funny. But more so the romance aspect, it tackles many aspects of love, marriage and relationships on an extremely deep level that you wouldn't expect from a typical romcom movie. Things like talking about how someone single is likely to find their soul mate because they won't settle for something less just not to be alone. Things like how when you realize eating, drinking, movies and shopping can be done alone and be used to it, you don't really need a companion to do so. Things like how the "freedom" someone single enjoys can actually be the same shackles that bind him into a prison of not being able to step out of his comfort zone.

This is a movie that can be outrageously hilarious, wildly fun, deeply entertaining at the same time pulling your heart strings and making you think deeply about life, relationships and what really does love mean.

A movie that has literally something for everyone, every demographic. A masterpiece for sure.

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