Super Me

Super Me, a visually stunning and intriguing movie from 2019 directed by Zhang Chong, offers a fascinating melding of drama, thriller, and romance genres with a compelling storyline. The film captures a riveting narrative featuring a struggling screenwriter called Sang Yu, played by Talu Wang, who discovers a profound superpower that propels him on a thrilling journey of self-discovery, love, and grappling with mortality.

The movie starts in an unspecified city in modern China, where we are acquainted with Sang Yu, a conflict-ridden and financially challenged screenwriter. His life is brimming with both personal and professional difficulties. The Gordian Knot of Sang's life, his recurrent insomnia linked to nightmare-filled nights, is where the film's main dramatics pivot. His ability to produce good work is hampered by these persistent nightmares where a terrifying demon brutally murders him every night. The same cursed dream sequence, coupled with the daily grind, begins to blur the dividing line between his nightmare and reality.

The plot takes a twist when he discovers a supernatural ability that allows him to bring back treasures from his dream world, thereby transforming his life from a constant struggle to a goldmine of endless luxuries overnight. This newfound power acts as the panacea to his seemingly insurmountable financial woes and misery. What enhances the uniqueness of Super Me is not just the fantasy element but also its seamless blending with reality. The urban backdrop, everyday life anxieties, and Sang Yu's emotional entropy give profound gravity to his fantastical experience.

The film introduces us to a pantheon of characters of whom two hold high significance – Hua’er, played by Jia Song, and San Ge, played by Kevin Lee. Hua’er is the kind-hearted, lively barista at a local coffee shop that Sang Yu frequents, and who also is the object of his quiet affection. Their tender relationship is beautifully captured in several key scenes of the film, lending it a sentimental undertone.

San Ge, on the other hand, is portrayed as the flamboyant underworld mafia boss who gets wind of Sang’s ability and engages him in his exploitative game of power and wealth. Kevin Lee’s portrayal of the menacing and overbearing San Ge adds a trigger of tension and anticipation in the plot, adding to the blending of criminal underbelly angst with the world of dreams.

The thrill and the edge-of-the-seat drama increase as Sang Yu's personal life gets intertwined with his new renegade lifestyle. The film captures the tension between Sang’s desire to live a dream life with the girl he loves, and his forced alliance with the vicious ganglord.

Director Zhang Chong does an excellent job of creating a seamless intersection of the two disparate themes of reality and fantasy. The film captures nuance through its focus on character development, profound dialogue, and meaningful interactions, while the plot and the visual aesthetics make the movie quite a spectacle. The cinematography is undeniably superb and the special effects, designed to portray Sang's dream world, dazzle the viewer.

Talu Wang, with his honest and intense portrayal of a man juggling his dreams and reality, delivers a strong and breathtaking performance that truly anchors the film. Jia Song's magnetic performance illuminates the screen and renders the character of Hua’er a remarkable depth. Kevin Lee, with his calculated dialogue delivery and his crisp portrayal of a gangster, brings a captivating dynamism to the plot.

The film houses a meaningful narrative couched in a high-energy thriller format and captivates the audience with its unexpected twists and turns. Even though it is steeped in fantasy and surreal, Super Me never loses sight of the real world, its issues, and the human condition. This movie dives into the significance of dreams and the perils of greed, highlighting the beauty of finding joy and satisfaction in the ordinary. Furthermore, it places the concept of love in sharp contrast with the hunger for wealth and opulence.

In essence, Super Me is a film that encapsulates multiple genres effortlessly. It offers a unique blend of dramatic suspense, a tender romance, and a gripping thriller, vibrant in its delivery of content and stylish in presentation. A remarkable movie experience filled with stunning cinematography, believable performances, and a storyline that keeps you intrigued,long after the credits have rolled.