Mai

I can't believe I lost 2 hours of my life watching a movie that ends in triumph for the character I most despised. This confounding tumultuous tale of a carnival-like Vietnamese subculture awash in masseuses, evil neighbors, street thugs and perverts might be exciting to some viewers but it's one rabbit hole I wish I never ventured down. While the fact that many Vietnamese kids will dutifully worship at the feet of judgemental, controlling and selfish parents is something I've seen firsthand, it doesn't make it any easier to witness or accept. From the get-go, the film's protagonists all seem to suffer from a culturally pervasive sort of Stockholm Syndrome. Despite an ephemeral moment or two of promising romantic charm, overall I found the story relentlessly disturbing.

This is a beautiful story about the character Mai's journey to find happiness. The character's psychology is portrayed deeply and complexly. The director gave us a deep dive into the character's psychology. This is not a simple romantic movie. This is a movie about life and happiness in every person. Although there are still many errors in the storytelling, this is a significant mark of Vietnamese films. From the film we can see the careful investment in content, images, script and message conveyed. The actors have devoted a lot to their roles. In short, this is a movie worth watching. An incredible cinematic mark from Tran Thanh.

I am being generous here, I think the movie sits somewhere between 7 and 8/10

To foreign friends who do not have the background: the director of this movie used to be an MC and comedian and he worked really hard to rise to the top face in Viet's show biz. Despite many past and ongoing controversies, what cannot be denied is his talents and hard work.

The movie starts with a intertwining scence where the Mai mopping her apt floor and her neighbor banging girls. I think it's a pretty good funny scene and a good sign of a quality movie.

Sure the dialogue is not as natural as you see foreign movies but it's a common problem with Vietnamese. We have.

The move has been hated by many Vietnamese who never watch it. The hate is from the boycott towards the director.

For me, I care about the movie, not the director's private life. I'm not his fan or anti-fan.

The movie worthed its cents. Good plot twists, great acting, informal dialogues, good scenes. However, the story is simple, opera soap like.

I rarely have chances to watch Vietnamese movies which are this good. I would say for every 10 Vietnamese movies, only 1 movie acquire this (or higher) quality.

Unfortunately, too many people rejected its value without watching the movie once.

Just my two cents.

Everyone who goes to see the movie is sad for the main character, but I am happy for Mai.

Maybe she missed a chance to love, but in return Mai found a place for herself. An independent, successful woman will have the right to CHOOSE, instead of shrinking into someone else's choice.

People will not care how disadvantaged, miserable you were, whether you endured, or whether your fall was painful or not? People only look at where you stand in the end, then either admire or despise. If you are successful, then all your past is a catalyst, but if not, it's all trash! That's Life!

"Thank you for not waiting for me" sounds heartbreaking, but it is very true. Because if Sau had waited for Mai, would Mai have been happy to marry into a family that once despised her? Would Sau have had enough courage to become a strong shoulder for a woman with a strong personality like Mai? So the director very delicately ended the film with a saying that, for me, is the most profound lesson: "It's not easy, try your best!" Love can make us temporarily forget everything to look into each other's eyes, but to hold our heads high and look at life, to give ourselves a place in the game, love is not enough, we need a foundation!

I hope all women will take the time to watch "MAI" at least once, not to be sad or feel sorry, but to see that every pain has its own value, every scar can be healed, and sometimes we need to hit rock bottom, to discover that in addition to tears, we are also given wings to fly.

Congratulations to the Tran Thanh Town team for creating the most satisfying, satisfying and complete work of art ever. Although the ending is not as beautiful as a dream, it is emotional enough to revive the dormant desires, and is a healing medicine for 'old' women - old but if you try, you can still be an antique, not a scrap, like MAI.