Pink Dream

A pink nightmare

A Dream in Pink was an early Cai Chu Sheng film about learning the grass is not always greener on the other side, even in a black and white movie.

Luo Wen is a struggling novelist with a dutiful and loving wife. Along with seeing to his needs, Su Yun cares for their daughter and teaches students in the room next door. He becomes petulant when Su Yun is not happy about him bringing home several expensive hair combs for her. Cue the cranky landlord who is upset about their late rent. Angry that his wife doesn’t appreciate him he heads out to a fancy club and meets socialite Hui Lan. Hui Lan takes an immediate liking to him and before long he is spending not only nights in the club but also Hui Lan's bed. Su Yun tries to be sympathetic to his writerly needs and ends up being handed divorce papers as payment for her patience and kindness. Luo gains custody of their daughter, something Hui Lan is not thrilled about.

Su Yun finds a job teaching on the outskirts of Shanghai. She misses her daughter and see her everywhere. Likewise, her daughter misses her. Luo becomes immersed in his writing much to Hui Lan's chagrin but it doesn't stop her club hopping ways. Soon Luo understands the meaning of debt and a spendthrift wife. The roles are reversed as he tries to keep their heads above water. When he does earn money from his book, she runs off with it and another man.

I wish that this was the karmic ending he received, but in 1932 China, it would not have been considered a happy ending. And this film was determined to have the cutest ending ever.

The film was faded and though not on purpose was in shades of pink and purple. Unlike many silent films I've seen from this time there was a plethora of intertitles. I had no difficulties following the story. Even with the pocking and fading, you could tell the director had used some beautiful scenery and settings.

My biggest problem with the film was the finale.

Ending Spoiler ahead
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When she found out that Luo was broken financially and emotionally after his second wife left him, Su Yun wrote a book under his name titled "Tears of an Abandoned Wife" which the publisher loved. In fact, when the publisher found out the truth he told Luo, "No wonder the story is so moving." Ouch! Even when he reconciled with Su Yun it would have been surprising if this man's fragile ego could handle his wife being a better writer than him.

Luo Wen learned that the decadent and frivolous life of the clubs was not a sound foundation for a life. He also learned his wife was not lacking the ability to have fun, she was simply providing for her family at the most basic level and always seeking ways to please him as well. The spoiled socialite, like himself, had only been looking for self-gratification. Perhaps, he truly learned his lesson. For his wife and daughter's sakes I hope so. I have trouble shaking my 21st century opinion. For me, although A Dream in Pink was an interesting silent film, it would have benefited from a wife who wasn't a martyr and could have thrived on her own as a successful writer. Instead, just like a wayward dog that left the safety of his food bowl and porch, Luo Wen went back home where Su Yun gratefully accepted him. He may have gained something from his arduous life lessons, but I'm not sure she did.

5/16/23

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