Mi boda con un fantasma

Just watched this film on Netflix and was very impressed. Initially, I expected a light-hearted comedic little film, but it delivered so much more. It masterfully balances hilarious moments with heartfelt scenes.

The two main characters' gay-straight friendship was portrayed exceptionally well, highlighting the importance of acceptance and understanding in friendships despite differences.

I particularly appreciated that the main police character remained "straight" throughout, without resorting to the "turning gay" cliché trope just for the sake of romantic moments. It naturally includes LGBTQ themes without feeling forced, appealing to everyone, not just the LGBTQ community.

This movie was so good, I genuinely don't know how they pulled off putting so many genres into a singular film. It had a platonic queer aspect, it was comedic, had the science-fiction, and action element.

It was so interesting seeing Ming's character development and the way they told their story was beautifully done, it's one of those movies we can be contempt with, like they didn't need anything else or for it to be turned into a show. I also like that their relationship wasn't sexual like we see this relationship develop between a straight guy and a gay guy that makes them into soulmates that doesn't revolve around a sexual relationship. They'd both die for each other and call each other husbands both comfortable with their sexuality not needing anything else to happen between them. I love that ming-han character matures and he's still dedicated himself to mao's causes and family. We see him start to actively support climate change, queer rights and his form of love for mao isn't something we usually see in bromance cinema.

In fact, the cultural references are so good that it might feel like inside jokes that only ones who have lived the (cross) culture would get. Even though the less familiar audience would definitely still enjoy the storyline/plot and the acting, it worth to watch and rewatch it from the culture aspect to somehow get an idea how the current period of time is happening in East Asia. Social matters (this time, globally) were also mentioned and delivered gracefully (definitely without overdoing anything) along with the main theme, which personally makes me very interested in the screenwriter / director and go on checking out his other works.

A side note; the movie has extra(s) and cut-scenes posted on the internet as promotional materials for the main screening that made the story even more rounded - recommend to check them all out if you enjoy watching the movie.

Whilst out pursuing a speeding joy rider, Wu Ming-Han picks up a red envelope, an envelope that binds him to a ghost wedding, to another guy, after refusing, he discovers a life of misfortune, only an acceptance can change things.

I'm not sure I was expecting such a progressive film to come out of Taiwan, but that's exactly what it is, very progressive, very open minded, and very funny.

I didn't think it was going to be my cup of tea, but I thoroughly enjoyed it, lots of fun, entertaining and at times surprisingly moving. Two hours long, and it flew by, I even stayed up way past my usual bed time to complete it.

Wu Ming-Han is a likeable central character, he's fun, he's very cute, imagine being thrown into his situation.

8/10.

Marry My Dead Body is a charming Taiwanese supernatural comedy that impressively does it all for the modern audience, delivering a laugh-out-loud comedy with affecting moments while subtly discussing a social topic.

While investigating an anti-drug case, police officer Wu Ming-han accidentally picks up a red envelope and ends up in a ghost marriage to Mao Mao, a gay man who died in a car accident in the midst of discussing his marriage. Mao Mao's grandmother wants to fulfill her and her grandson's wish to be married.

After a series of misfortune, Ming-han reluctantly accepts the ghost marriage and the spirit of Mao Mao appears. Ming-han helps Mao Mao complete his final wishes and Mao Mao helps with his investigation.

Writer-director Cheng Wei-hao, who made 2021's The Soul, strikes a great balance between the zany comedy, cartoon-like action chase scenes, and teary moments. The three leads, Greg Hsu, Austin Lin, and Gingle Wang are charming and share great chemistry.

Same-sex marriage was legalized in Taiwan in 2019 and notably, the first country in Asia to do so. Marry My Dead Body discusses same-sex marriage as subtly as one could in a major commercial film. Clashing the traditional practice of ghost marriages and same-sex marriage is hilarious.

Comedy has a great way of taking an audience into their fears and anxiety and ridding them through laughter. The message never gets heavy-handed as there's so much going on that the audience laughs through the countless gags.

Some of the gay humor may seem backward for Western audiences, but it's done invitingly and never mean-spirited. It was culturally insightful as the film offers a glimpse into how things are in Taiwan.

The Grandma character particularly struck me. The image of an elderly woman setting up a ghost marriage for her dead grandson, unconcerned with his sexual orientation was quite touching to see. There was a lot of power in that image.

I'm glad Marry My Dead Body has done so well in Taiwan. It's well deserved.