29+1 is a mixed bag that seems to belong in ambiguous arthouse territory instead of appealing to the masses.
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As someone approaching the big 3-0 sooner rather than later, I looked very much forward to what 29+1 had to say about reaching this milestone. Never mind that the movie, with its two female leads, seems to be filmed with the Modern Woman in mind - director Kearen Pang's debut is based on her critically acclaimed play on love, life and memories through the lens of two women turning 30.
29+1 the play was scripted, directed and performed by Pang herself, taking on the role of both female leads. In 29+1 the film, the leads are different: Christy Lam (Chrissie Chau) is a career-focused cosmetics marketing manager bent on climbing the corporate ladder, while Wong Tin-Lok (Joyce Cheng) trundles through life as a carefree assistant in a record shop, who decides to quit her job and travel to Paris to fulfil a long-cherished dream.
Unfortunately, a good play does not necessarily produce a good film. Stilted by uneven pacing and a confusing, unconventional narrative that merges Christy and Tin-Lok's perspectives over time, it is not immediately clear what Pang wants her audiences to infer. This problem is less apparent if you've watched the play. Otherwise, you'll be left scratching your head as the storyline descends into maudlin emotion.
There are also several references to missed destinies and whimsical connections, which don't seem to make any sense. Overall, if you're looking for a reflective meditation on quarter life crises, 29+1 is a mixed bag that seems to belong in ambiguous arthouse territory instead of appealing to the masses.
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