Chasing Dream (Chinese: 我的拳王男友) is a 2019 romantic comedy drama film directed by Johnnie To and co-produced with Wai Ka-fai, who also co-wrote the screenplay. A Hong Kong-Chinese co-production, the film stars Jacky Heung and Wang Keru, and tells the story of a boxing champion and a dream-chasing singer who met and became friends together by chance while chasing their dreams.
The film was released in China on 8 November 2019.
Contents
Plot
Tiger, an aspiring MMA fighter, meets Cuckoo, whose dream is to become a singer. Together they go from audition to audition as they try to get Cuckoo into the talent show Perfect Diva. And at the same time, Tiger tries to quit the ring, but leaving turns out to be harder than expected. Both Tiger and Cuckoo have the same state of mind and fight for their dream, and even if the two burn their lives, they will have no regrets in this life.
Cast
Jacky Heung as Tiger
Wang Keru as Cuckoo
Shao Bing as Ma Qing
Bin Zi as Gao Qiang
Wu Yitong as Zhao Ying
Ma Xiaohui as Qu Fengfeng
Kelly Yu as Hai Zhu
Emotion Cheung as Lu Di
Candy Zhang as Dr. Li
Reception
Reviewer Richard Kuipers of Variety wrote, "Poking fun at blind ambition and celebrity culture while propelling viewers on a dizzy ride of heightened realism and unabashed melodrama, 'Chasing Dream' has some clunky plot contrivances and lacks emotional depth, but for sheer entertainment value, it delivers handsomely."
Reviewer Diego Aparico of EasternKicks gave the film a rating of 2.5 out of 5 stars, writing, "When you sign up to watch a film that combines martial arts with musical elements, you know what you’re getting yourself into. Chasing Dream is not an arthouse film or an experimental indie production. It is a bonafide B movie, with strong elements from the world of sports and pop music entertainment. You won't watch it looking for inspiration, or expecting to see performances that justify the title. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for something flashy and upbeat that doesn't require too much thinking for some nighttime viewing, then look no further."
Reviewer Adriana Rosati of Asian Movie Pulse wrote, "'Chasing Dream' is a distinctly Chinese-flavoured hot pot, composed of a mixture of many boxing drama tropes (especially that well-known American long saga, but let's just don't mention it for a change), many To's plotlines from previous films, the popular realm of X Factor-style music competition franchises and a sprinkle of Bollywood. In fact, if director To could get one penny every time the audience spots a reference, he wouldn't need to charge for the entrance ticket. This is not all bad, as we love repetitions; it is sweet being enveloped by familiar waters and drown happily in them, but this hot pot, despite being very colourful, lacks a bit in hot spices."
Reviewer Andrew Crump of theplaylist.net wrote, "To's application of old formulas reemphasizes why these formulas stay in use to this day: They work. But To is an exceptional filmmaker, capable of drawing every last atom of glee out of each scene".
Reviewer Darren Murray of maactioncinema.com gave the film a rating of 3.8/5, writing, "Initially I was disappointed that Johnnie To’s first film in three years wouldn’t be a return to the crime genre but I have to say that Chasing Dream is more than I could have asked for, with its mixture of drama, comedy, action and musical numbers unlike anything else that is playing at Fantasia 2020."