Wei ze zhi lu

Worth watching just for the cultural & physical environment of seeing life in western China's Gobi desert. Interesting twists on three quite different lives merging & then separating on to their individual journey's conclusions. The only part that seemed like a standard plot hook was the overly imaginative encounter w/criminal money lenders.

Xuebing, Zhu Genyou and Ma Yili (I will write them the way Chinese write them, surname first) were an adorable trio to watch - the chemistry was simply there and nobody could take it away. It was described as a comedy, but this was a drama with well developed characters... and they were evolving through the movie. Struggles, troubles and very short moments of joy became experiences, for all of them, and they grew together, almost as a family they all longed for. Gobi Desert was a perfect background for everything happening to those barren souls who had no permanent direction they were heading to, but for a short moment in life had each other. Unexpected ending for a Chinese film, but quite realistic.

A good road movie from China. Wang Xuebing plays the lead role backed up by a young boy who is very likeable. There are many twists and turns and they keep adding to the plot. I watched the movie with English subtitles which were very good. I would have given it 7.5/10 but that's not possible, so I gave it 8/10. Very much enjoyed it!