SYNOPSIS:
Singapore Dreaming is a story about a family with big dreams,
living on a small island. Disappointed by his failed dreams,
Lim Poh Huat vents his frustration on his family. So when he
wins the lottery, everyone believes the money will deliver them
from their struggles. However, something happens which pitches
the Loh family into a battle where the stakes are the very meaning
of life itself. Singapore Dreaming is a poignant yet darkly
humourous story about a typical Singaporean family coming to
grips with loss, ambition and what's really matters in life.
MOVIE REVIEW :
If
Be With Me is the benchmark for Singapore made films, then
Singapore Dreaming is the hallmark of Singapore cinema. Coming
from the husband and wife team of Colin Goh and Woo Yen-Yen,
the minds behind the Talking Cock phenomenon, Singapore Dreaming
has become THE Singapore film to watch. Applauded for its
brutal honesty in reflecting the Singaporean ideal as real
as possible, the film also scores with its ability to connect
with Singaporeans from every walk of life.
Richard
Low, as the patriarch of the family serves well as the tie
that ironically, binds the whole family together. Alice Lim
as his non-English speaking wife plays the role of a loyal
and shattered wife to a T. As siblings, Dick Su and theatre
actress, Yeo Yann Yann both chew up their scenes having brought
their game to work. Serene Chen and Lim Yu Beng round off
the cast with much
Singapore
Dreaming is not a social commentary, rather it is driven by
Colin Goh and Woo Yen-Yen’s quick wit and sharp writing,
proving the script to be one of the best Singapore made one
in recent times. No surprise then that it garnered a writing
award at San Sebastian. The husband and wife team seem like
natural observers of the Singapore kind with their ability
to bring the characters to life with much aplomb.
What
could have been easily passed off as the pilot of a potential
Channel 8 drama serial, Singapore Dreaming has avoided the
pitfall by having a dynamic team of directors/writers, actors
and crew. It is good to know that while there are local filmmakers
who wish to explore different genres and types, there is Singapore
Dreaming, which we can all be proud of that reflects the true
essence of being Singaporean.
SPECIAL
FEATURES :
The DVD comes with the usual fare of trailer and
photo gallery. It also carries a fifteen minute long Making
Of feature, giving an insight into the process of making Singapore
Dreaming. In this, both cast and crew share their experiences
of working on the film. It was wonderful to find out more
from veteran actors acting on the silver screen for the first
time. It was also great to know how the Singapore Dreaming
team came together.
Unfortunately,
the feature is too short that it feels like a rushed job or
a vignette that could appear on Arts Central. Had the feature
been more extensive, delving deeper into the production aspects,
it would have complemented a compelling movie making this
DVD a collectible must have.
The
DVD also comes with Deleted Scenes from the film. It had quirky
moments like Pinky the maid removing a maid figurine from
the offerings made at the patriarch’s funeral and mundane
moments like characters walking in silence for long periods
of time. While the deleted scenes showed what was well, excluded,
it would have been fun to know the filmmakers or actors thoughts
on the scenes.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
Although
the disc comes with Dolby Digital 5.1, there's little occasion
in the film that requires it's presence. But it did enhance
the clarity of the dialogues which consists the bulk of "Singapore
Dreaming". Visually, it's grainy in certain sequences
and shots, however not to the extent of marring your viewing
experience.
MOVIE
RATING:
DVD
RATING:
Review
by Mohamad
Shaifulbahri
|
