The Mermaid

"The Mermaid" is a 2016 Chinese film, a deliriously entertaining blend of romance, comedy, and fantasy directed by the internationally acclaimed Stephen Chow. The movie stars Chao Deng, Show Lo, and Yuqi Zhang and managed to captivate audiences with a seamless balance between dramatic, comedic, and fantastical elements. The film's storyline, socio-environmental themes, strong performances, and visual effects propel it beyond the realm of typical romantic comedies and elevate it to a level of its own.

The plot of "The Mermaid" centers around a wealthy business tycoon, Liu Xuan, played by Chao Deng, who purchases a marine reserve with the intent of using sonar to exterminate sea life and reclaim it to build real estate. With his flamboyant personality and smug self-assuredness, Liu Xuan is the archetype of a real estate tycoon with little regard for the environment or for the consequences of his actions. He becomes the primary antagonist of the film, whose actions warrant the need for a wild and unlikely retribution.

Enter Shan, portrayed by newcomer Jelly Lin (Lin Yun), who is a beautiful, naive, and endearing mermaid. She is part of a small community of merpeople dramatically impacted by Liu Xuan’s destructive project. The survival of their world is endangered due to destruction of their habitat. In response, they make a desperate plan to assassinate Liu Xuan, with Shan as their secret weapon. Her mission is to pose as a human, infiltrate Liu Xuan's luxurious life, seduce him, and eventually assassinate him to protect the natural order of their ecosystem.

Unsurprisingly, things don’t go as planned. Shan is not the cunning siren they had hoped for, instead, with her charming awkwardness and unassuming naivety, she stumbles her way into Liu Xuan's heart. Conversely, the heartless tycoon surprisingly finds himself unexpectedly drawn towards her innocence and honesty, leading to an unfolding comedic and romantic narrative.

"The Mermaid" is more than just a fantastical love story. It is a stark social comment on the environmental degradation from the eyes of the very creatures that are directly affected by the human-centric ways. The film highlights the assault on the marine environment and shows the audience the real stakes. It manages to make an ecological statement without turning into a sermon. This film stands out by baring the grim consequences of environmental exploitation in an entertaining, fantastical narrative.

One of the highlights in "The Mermaid" is definitely its comedy. Director Chow, known for his work on "Shaolin Soccer" and "Kung Fu Hustle," again demonstrates his flair for humor, infusing the film with slapstick humor and visual gags, lightening serious moments with touches of amusement. The comedic sequences, especially those involving Octopus, played by Show Lo, are layered with wit, quirkiness, and ample measures of ridiculousness. Show Lo's over-the-top comedic timing and peculiar character design combined to deliver the much-needed comic relief.

Another noteworthy aspect of the film is its visual style and effects, notably its use of practical effects to depict the merpeople and their struggles. Despite its relatively modest budget, the film wonderfully brings to life an entire aquatic world replete with merpeople and other sea creatures. The stark contrast between this depleted underwater world and Liu Xuan’s opulent lifestyle ashore is a potent visual representation of the underlying themes.

Just as impressive are the performances of the cast. Chao Deng manages to humanize the otherwise detestable Liu Xuan, while Jelly Lin is a revelation as the innocent, charming, and subtly powerful Shan. Show Lo, with his eccentric performance as Octopus, steals the show in several scenes.

In conclusion, "The Mermaid" is an enchanting blend of fantasy, romantic comedy, and socio-environmental themes. Its unique premise, engaging storytelling, strong performances, distinctive visual style, and clever humor make it a must-watch for fans of Chinese cinema as well as a broader audience in search of an atypical and memorable film experience.