"Boxing Champion Mother," released in 2022, tells the story of Xiao Xiao (Leng Meng), a struggling flower seller whose life takes an unexpected turn. With a husband (Mao Tai) who has given up and turned to alcohol, Xiao Xiao must not only take care of her elderly father-in-law and daughter but also deal with her perpetually drunk spouse.
However, a chance encounter on a film set changes everything for Xiao Xiao when she is offered the lead role in an upcoming project about a female boxer. To succeed, she must quickly learn the art of boxing, with the help of A Feng (Wang Zha), a young MMA fighter who gradually falls for Xiao Xiao's strong character.
The film, led by director Chen Xiang and his team of comedians, offers a heartwarming comedy that showcases the power of determination and the pursuit of dreams. While not reaching the absurd sense of humor found in Stephen Chow's works, "Boxing Champion Mother" focuses on sentiment and life-affirming positivity, providing a delightful spectacle for those who appreciate a mix of light-heartedness and tears of joy.
The plot follows the classic trope of a small individual striving for success in the world of showbiz, similar to "The New King of Comedy." However, the emphasis on sentiment and the celebration of family bonds adds a unique flavor to the story. The first half of the film strikes the perfect balance between humor and heartwarming moments, featuring amusing family dynamics in cramped living quarters. Unfortunately, as the plot progresses, the film loses some of its momentum and becomes dragged down by excessive tearful scenes, off-screen monologues, and repetitive moments. With a runtime of a hundred minutes, the lengthy denouement may test the patience of viewers who prefer a more tightly paced narrative.
While the actors in the film are comedians rather than athletes, their performances shine through. Leng Meng delivers a wonderful portrayal of Xiao Xiao, showcasing her talent as an actress and displaying energy in her athletic sequences. However, the sports scenes lack the authenticity one might expect, as the focus is more on symbolic metaphors rather than intricate fight choreography. It would have been beneficial to provide the actors with more training to enhance the realism of the boxing scenes. This could have alleviated the overwhelming sentimentality that dominates the film's final act.
Overall, "Boxing Champion Mother" is a heartwarming comedy that combines laughter and sentimentality. With its positive outlook on life and endearing characters, the film offers a pleasant viewing experience. While it may falter in pacing and excessive sentiment in its final act, it still manages to capture the spirit of determination and the joy of pursuing one's dreams.
Info
- Screenwriter & Director: Chen Xiang
- Genres: Action, Comedy, Drama
- Casr: Leng Meng, Maotai, Mo Gu Tou, Wangzha, Ying Baolin, and Wu Mama.
- Release Date: Feb 18, 2022