Genre: Family/Drama
Running Length: 1:42
Cast: Ben Pfeiffer, Joanne Yew, Sai Peng Lee
Director: Chiu Keng Guan
I finally caught our locally produced THE JOURNEY and...it was worth every bit of the hype it has generated (and still is) on social media and social settings. The movie is marketed as an east-west/father-daughter-Ang Moh son-in-law tension themed story but if you peel away the layers of expected cultural and traditions nuances, the core of it is a beautiful and quiet story of forgiveness, reconciliation and closure. Other than the Caucasian lead, the rest of the actors are amateurs - I am glad the film makers went this route as this resulted to an authentic and honest performance on screen. And the production quality and photography are top notch. The Journey tells a tale of a Malaysian Chinese daughter seeking the blessings from her conservative elderly father to marry a foreigner but what ensues is a road trip of sorts and an alumni gathering. After almost a month in the cinemas, the admissions has not declined (the cinema I was in was packed out with young couples, families + their po-po and other ethnicity) and I can't help but smile that this critically acclaimed and commercially successful hit (it's currently the no.1 local movie of all time in the BO) will change the fate of Malaysian films. Of course, the Journey is not without its flaws but it's almost perfect for a Buatan Malaysia film.
Closing monologue: I suspect Malaysians are urging their friends, family and relatives to catch this film because it speaks deep into us. I find this quote from another movie fitting in expressing the feelings one will feel (well, at least for me) even during the show, "All of life is an act of letting go but what hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye. It's important in life to conclude things properly. Only then can you let go. Otherwise you are left with words you should have said but never did, and your heart is heavy with remorse."
Rating: 8.5/10
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