Wished

The Chinese movie Wished, released in 2017 and directed by Dayyan Eng, is a delightful and engaging romantic comedy-fantasy film that combines whimsy, charm, humor, and earnest emotions in an intricate albeit figurative storyline. Helmed by popular actors such as Yu Xia, Ni Yan, and Victoria Song, the film masterfully handles realism and fantasy with profound creative elegance.

Wished tells the story of life insurance salesman, Chen Xiaomeng, portrayed by Yu Xia, who finds himself in quite a quandary. Chen is a regular, modest man who lives an ordinary life as an employee at Pure Life Insurance Company. He struggles with life's usual ups-and-downs, from job pressures, personal disappointments, to the overarching theme of unreciprocated love. He yearns to recapture his college love, Li Shushu, played by Victoria Song. However, despite his true feelings, he finds himself entangled in a complicated relationship roadblock.

Things take a surreal turn when a celestial entity, a fairy god-mother termed 'the granter of wishes', introduces a twist in Chen's ordinary life. The heavenly being starts to fulfill all the wishes Chen made as a young boy in a hilarious series of incidents, drastically turning his humdrum life upside down. Some of these wishes humorously morph into scenarios such as becoming a celebrity, turning into a superhero, and other whimsical fantasies that keep the audience applauding with amusement.

Ni Yan plays an equally engrossing role as the tough-talking but caring senior officer in Chen's workplace. Her significant influence in Chen's life and career adds another layer to the narrative. Amid the humor, romance, and fantasy, themes like self-discovery, handling fame, and understanding personal trajectories unfold, making the viewers reflect on their life choices.

This cinematic piece is a beautiful blend of realist and surrealist cinema, and its narration maintains an engaging equilibrium between comic scenes, dramatic moments, and dream-like sequences. These shifting dynamics are balanced subtly that they instigate anticipation and curiosity, keeping the audience's attention firmly anchored till the end.

Director Dayyan Eng's lighthearted storytelling talent shines in this movie as he portrays a hilarious god-mother-fairy tale set against the backdrop of real life effortlessly. Eng successfully provides a fresh perspective on the standard 'be careful what you wish for' theme and uses humor, romance, and fantasy elements with exceptional skill. His flair for metaphoric interpretation of life’s wishes and its ironic fulfillment is identifiable and relatable, making the film resonate with the audience on many levels.

Yu Xia delivers a remarkable performance, bringing the right amount of charm, vulnerability, and humor to his character, Chen Xiaomeng. Victoria Song, as Li Shushu, successfully exhibits a woman's grace under pressure and the ideals she firmly believes in. Ni Yan adds a perfect dose of stern assertiveness and womanly charm to her portrayal of an influential professional woman. The star-studded cast, including cameos from renowned personalities, further augments the appeal of the movie.

The cinematography and special effects in the film are laudable, especially the moments of wish fulfillment, which are represented with brilliant visual grandeur. The music score and the pacing of the film complement each other, providing the right emotional beats at the right moments.

Wished is not just a typical comedy; it takes the audience on an emotional roller-coaster ride full of delightful improbabilities, real-life dilemmas, joy, humor, and sincere feelings. It delves into the axis of human yearnings, love, career pressures, and day-to-day musings by lacing it with comical and fantastical scenarios. Wished is a film that, through its fun-filled lens, encourages viewers to reflect upon the seriousness of wishes, dreams, and their potential implications in real life.

All in all, Wished is a must-watch for those craving a fun and refreshing cinematic experience full of charm, wit, and warmth. Whether you're a fan of the actors, a lover of fantasy comedies, or a moviegoer searching for a light-hearted but thought-provoking film, Wished is sure to entertain and make you think with every laugh and whimsical event.