Duckweed

Duckweed is a brilliant 2017 Chinese film that homes in on the dynamic blend of comedy, drama, time-travel, and intense relationships. Making generous use of wit and sentiment, the film is driven by an engaging story and impressive performances by its leads, Chao Deng, Eddie Peng, and Zanilia Zhao.

The movie is directed by the celebrated filmmaker Han Han who evidently stepped up his game in this film with an intriguing narrative that keeps the audience engaged throughout. Han demonstrates his mastery in the subtle interweaving of the various themes and elements that run through the film. He effortlessly blends comedy, emotion, and time-travel in such a way that convinces the audience to walk alongside the characters, imbibing their triumphs, failures, and aspirations.

Chao Deng leads the pack in Duckweed as Lang, the headstrong and cocky professional race-car driver who seems to have it all. But beneath his popular exterior lies a man wrestling with intense dissatisfaction and frustration, primarily fuelled by his estranged relationship with his stern, traditional father. His journey from being an undisciplined brat who cared little for anyone else's feelings to learning how to value his loved ones is portrayed convincingly and progressively.

Eddie Peng is Zhang, Lang's father, who is as rough and rugged as they come. A stern disciplinarian with unwavering traditional values, he adheres strictly to what he believes is right. Meanwhile, he ignores the essence of other pressing and equally important matters. Yet, beneath his gruff exterior is a man who cares profoundly about his family, which Peng's fantastic portrayal brings to the screen with an astonishing amount of depth and realism.

The film also stars Zanilia Zhao as Ning, Lang's mother. She is a woman of great strength and love whose personality penetrates the conflict between father and son with kindness and understanding. Her personality and demeanor are testament to a selfless commitment and devotion to family. Zhao’s understated performance enhances our connection to the characters and adds an emotional complexity to the film.

At its core, Duckweed is a visually engaging film that centers around relationships — between father and son, between friends, between lovers, and more broadly, between the past and present. The plot is well-crafted, and its imaginative scope is far-reaching. The story takes an unexpected twist with Lang accidentally traveling back in time to when his parents were young. Lang observes the lives of his parents before he was born, gaining an instructive and enlightening perspective that alters his understanding of his father and their relationship. This take on the time travel genre remains unique as it does not dwell on altering the past or future timelines but focuses more on emotional healing and understanding.

Besides the impressive narrative and engaging characters, Duckweed showcases an ability to switch tones fluently -- between comedy, drama, action, and time-travel. All these elements help foster a harmonious balance and rhythm, which augments the film's overall charm.

The cinematography in the film is visually stunning, each frame a sight to behold. The film experiments with cinematic styles and techniques that add to the vibrant and colorful finish. The glimpses of the past through Lang’s time-traveling perspective are vivid and alive, transporting the audience to bygone decades. The music is another appealing aspect of the film. It fits beautifully into the storyline, bringing poignant moments of the narrative alive.

Duckweed is a unique, fascinating film that is humorous, emotionally stirring and heartwarming. It communicates deeper themes of understanding, forgiveness, and the love between family members. The strong script, talented cast, striking visuals, and emotive background score work collaboratively to create an engrossing piece of cinema. Duckweed will be a great pick for anyone who wants to watch a different genre of movie exploring the complexities of relationships and the rift between generations.