Opening Day: 23 Aug - 2 Sep 2006 (The Arts House)

Synopsis:

Smell of Rain, a Mandarin language film is a simple poignant story about Xiao Qi (Nathaniel Ho), a lonely young man, trapped in his childhood grief of being abandoned just before a rainstorm. The film uses the recurring motif – “the smell of rain” to transport the protagonist back to his painful past. It explores the bittersweet, heartbreaking and yet tender moments that Xiao Qi experiences as he is reminded of the past while being shown the promise of the future.

Xiao Qi, together with a childhood best friend, Kong Long (Trey Ho), creates a haven where the rest of the world is kept at bay. The arrival of a girl, Li Er (Leah Low) rudely disrupts the dynamics of this static world and Xiao Qi is forced to confront reality as he struggles to break free from the shackles of his past. In the process, he learns to live by learning to love - but will it be too late? Ending with a surprising twist, Smell of Rain sends a message of courage, hope and fresh beginnings.

Movie Review:

You know those moments, when you watch a film, and it hits you so hard, it stays with you forever. Usually, the themes explored in these movies are so stark and true to human nature, it makes you wonder why you have avoided these emotions your whole life, and why there are so many other unnecessary productions out there.

Before this review gets all too depressing, we’ll tell you that this local Mandarin production is actually about finding hope, courage and new beginnings.

Yes, right here in the Lion City, we can produce a film with such universal themes, and how apt, because if you haven’t realized by now, Singaporeans are one bunch of busy bees rushing to and fro everyday, often without knowing why their lives are so hectic.

The most poignant things in life are often the simplest, as the protagonist of this movie, Xiao Qi, will tell you. Abandoned by his mother just before a rainstorm, this lonely young man often shuts out people around him, constructing a forlorn world shared only by his one and only childhood friend, Kong Long. This heartrending balance is upset when a young girl, Li Er, enters Xiao Qi’s life.

Doesn’t sound too exciting, you say? In fact, this 92-minute movie is filled with voiceovers, and feature many silent scenes. The affecting opening voiceover by Xiao Qi justifies this mood, and sets the record straight by telling audiences that “people often talk too much, and they do not mean what they say most of the time anyway”.

If that doesn’t make you think twice about the people around you, we don’t know what will. Kudos to scriptwriter Gloria Chee, who also miraculously directed and produced the film.

With voiceovers like this placed strategically throughout the movie, you would not be lacking thought-provoking quotes at your next social function. Besides, they are recited in Mandarin, and that definitely adds a more intimate touch to the intended message to be brought across.

Played by the earnest-looking Nathaniel Ho, some may feel that Xiao Qi’s character isn’t dramatically brought out, but it is exactly this nonchalant sadness in Ho that works perfectly for the character. With more evident effort put into playing their roles (probably due to the fact that they have more lines), Trey Ho and Leah Low round up the three main characters by playing Kong Long and Li Er.

As this is the debut full-length feature for all three young actors, we must say that it is a considerably good performance, with just the right amount of chemistry between them to bring out the fine lines of balance and tension. What’s more, they are not too bad eye-candy as well.

Another feast for the eyes has to be the movie’s images of Singapore. Director of photography Terris Chiang has captured the lights and architecture of the island so beautifully; it’d make you wonder why you have not slowed down your pace of life to appreciate these things around you. We could all do with a little less complaining of our surroundings, that’s for sure.

And in case you are wondering why we are raving about this movie so much, it is because of the whole production’s earnestness and honesty – it managed to touch base with us.

If you find yourself connecting with Xiao Qi’s character 10 minutes into the film, we daresay that you are actually looking at yourself. And that’s probably one true feeling you haven’t felt in a long time.

Movie Rating:

(A sincere local production that will make you reflect on the finer beauties and aspects of life in Singapore)

Review by John Li