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Zhao Benshan, Dong Jie, Li Xuejian, Dong Lifan, Ben Niu ... see more see more... , Ling Qibin , Leng Qibin , Biao Fu , Bingkun Zhao , Hongjie Zhang , Jinghua Gong , Lihua Dong

A man stretching the truth for his own sake soon begins doing the same for someone else, with increasingly complicated results, in this gentle comedy from China. Zhao (Zhao Benshan) is a guy in his ea... read more read more...rly fifties who's out of work but still wants to marry his girlfriend (Dong Lifan). However, his often cranky sweetheart thinks he runs a hotel, and Zhao is trying to keep the illusion alive with the help of his pal Li (Li Xuejian) by turning an abandoned bus into a "love hotel" for couples who lack privacy in their homes. But business isn't all that good, since the old-fashioned Zhao asks unmarried couples to keep their doors open to ensure nothing untoward happens. As Zhao tries to convince his girlfriend to walk down the aisle with him -- and struggles to raise the money she demands first -- she introduces him to Wu Jing (Dong Jie), the blind teenage stepdaughter she inherited from her marriage to her now-deceased first husband. The woman insists that Zhao give Wu Jing a job in his hotel; since the bus/hotel has been towed away, this isn't a practical possibility. Zhao and Li put Wu Jing through a fake job interview to keep up appearances, and when she breaks down in tears talking about her deadbeat father, he decides he has to do something for her. Zhao moves Wu Jing into his home, and with the help of his friends, sets up a phony massage therapy center where Wu Jing works with the "clients" -- actually Zhao's friends, most of whom are also unemployed. But the bigger and more complex the illusion becomes, the harder it is to maintain, though Zhao feels compelled to do so for the sake of the girl's feelings. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

75% liked it

4,200 ratings

Critics

72% liked it

60 critics

PG, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Yimou Zhang

Release Date: July 26, 2002

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DVD Release Date: December 3, 2002

Stats: 196 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (196)

  • DrBenway
    January 5, 2009
    DrBenway
    Happy Times is set in present-day China, in a modern, unnamed city, exploring the many costs of modern times. The two central characters feel left behind in a rapidly changing Beijing, and when they try to catch up, they find love instead of the money they seek.

    The film never... read more does choose between comedy and tragedy, and the final plot twist turns it into a failed fairy tale. With too many contrived characters and plot turns, Happy Times eventually seems weightless.
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  • lesleyanorton
    June 26, 2009
    lesleyanorton
    Magical. Quirky and very different to Yimou Zhangs other films.
  • FanGirl
    March 25, 2007
    FanGirl
    Charming and sweet. An interesting film with a unique story and fun characters.
  • FangsFirst
    April 10, 2008
    FangsFirst
    Zhang Yimou is far better known for films like House of Flying Daggers and Curse of the Golden Flower (or Raise the Red Lantern, if you run in more artsy circles) than for films like this one, which was kind of a surprise to me. Despite the focal point of the... read more cover--which may or may not be the theatrical poster--this film is not really about the relationship of the two people who appear on it, being lonely bachelor Zhao (Zhao Benshan) and his fiancee, the nameless "Stepmother" (Dong Lifan).

    In truth, this film seems to be about Zhao and the "stepmother," but soon we meet the blind girl Wu Ying (Dong Jie), who is the blind stepdaughter that gives Dong Lifan's character her "title" of stepmother. She is neglected and just shy of abused (by which I mean only that she is not physically assaulted--she is treated much like Cinderella, which really constitutes abuse) by her stepmother, which Zhao does not realize in his desperation to marry. He has taken on his new girlfriend simply because she has agreed to marry him, complimenting her on her large size simply because he feels that anyone skinnier will reject him, based on his experience. Leng Qibin (also unnamed as a character) plays Wu's stepbrother, and is the image of the spoiled biological child, also taking up a large amount of space and first seen complaining that his video gaming system is currently on the fritz. Eventually Zhao begins to see the loneliness and despair in Wu, even though he never sees what her stepmother does, still trying consistently to appease her and guarantee his marriage. He lies endlessly to both of them about his job, claiming to be a hotel manager--instead he has taken on rentals of time in an abandoned bus in a park, named the "Happy Times Hut" with his friend, of a circle of retired former co-workers--and attempting to get a "job" for Wu.

    Eventually the plot shifts firmly to Zhao's misguided attempts to make and keep Wu happy and feeling loved, using deception to do this. Creatively, this is not shown or seen as a bad or negative thing; their deception is so purely motivated and well-intended that even Wu takes no issue with it when she finds out. She understands the meaning behind their actions and takes no insult from it. And this is absolutely one of the most touching things in the world--to see that even through the deceit and the previously selfish interests (and some continued ones, too) these two characters find love--not romantic love, but perhaps all the stronger for it. They both bring some meaning to each other's lives, renewing their interest in other people. It manages to have this warm, caring element without sacrificing any of the cynical realism that inhabits and creates the world as we know it. Expertly crafted in the tension of these two contrasting extremes, it only further enhances the darkness for some--who find the rather ambiguous ending heartbreaking, and the light for others, like myself, who see a kind of hope in it.

    A fantastic movie, but I've come to expect that from Zhang Yimou.
  • matricialynnicus
    May 26, 2007
    matricialynnicus
    It's an ok story, but the characters are maybe a little too contrived. Like the blind girl's step-mom is whiny and irritating. The blind girl is too heroic and virtuous. I wouldn't recommend anyone wasting time on it.
  • tommypjr
    April 17, 2007
    tommypjr
    loved this movie. its labeled by netflix as a comedy, and it is funny in so many weird ways, but its more a beautiful story than a comedy.

View All Happy Times Reviews

Critic Reviews

Susan Stark
October 11, 2002
Susan Stark, Detroit News

A provocative, touching, surprising and obliquely illuminating piece.

Janice Page
September 20, 2002
Janice Page, Boston Globe

Not a film to rival To Live, but a fine little amuse-bouche to keep your appetite whetted. Full Review

Joe Baltake
September 6, 2002
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

This humbling little film, fueled by the light comedic work of Zhao Benshan and the delicate ways of Dong Jie, is just the sort for those moviegoers who complain that 'they don't make movies like they... Full Review

Tom Sime
August 22, 2002
Tom Sime, Dallas Morning News

The performances are winning all around. And the comic, slice-of-life feel is charming, but takes a hike as the film progresses. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
August 9, 2002
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

The film's maudlin focus on the young woman's infirmity and her naive dreams play like the worst kind of Hollywood heart-string plucking. Full Review

Ann Hornaday
August 9, 2002
Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

An engaging and specific portrait of a culture in transition, even as it evokes humanity's most universal and timeless values. Full Review

Malene Arpe
August 9, 2002
Malene Arpe, Toronto Star

A bittersweet contemporary comedy about benevolent deception, which, while it may not rival the filmmaker's period pieces, is still very much worth seeing. Full Review

Eric Harrison
August 9, 2002
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

Gently humorous and touching. Full Review

Jennie Punter
August 9, 2002
Jennie Punter, Globe and Mail

A tale of unlikely friendship in an increasingly uncaring world. Full Review

Roger Ebert
August 9, 2002
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

To me, it sounds like a cruel deception carried out by men of marginal intelligence, with reactionary ideas about women and a total lack of empathy. Full Review

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Happy Times Trivia

  • Which of the following movies by Chinese director Zhang Yimou does not have actress Gong Li in a leading role?  Answer »
  • What is the disabiity of the girl in the Chinese movie "Happy Times"?  Answer »
  • "Air Force One"- I was the first in line to the presidency and almost got that position since Marshall nearly died. However, I was very happy that he made it out alive. I spoke with Korshunov many times over the phone. Who am I?   Answer »
  • "Air Force One"- I was the first in line to the presidency and almost got that position since Marshall nearly died. However, I was very happy that he made it out alive. I spoke with Korshunov many times over the phone. Who am I?   Answer »
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