Watch Better and Better
- 2013
- 1 hr 45 min
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4.4 (153)
Better and Better, released in 2013 and directed by Jiayi Du, is a Chinese romantic-comedy that delves into the lives of the wealthy Shen family. The movie features a star-studded cast, including Jue Huang, Christy Chung, Tian Jing, and Wei Zhao. The story revolves around Grandpa Shen, the head of the family who is celebrating his 80th birthday, and his stubborn desire to see his grandchildren marry and settle down. The Shen family comprises of three sons â Shen Fei (played by Jue Huang), Shen Dong (played by Wu Gang), and Shen Xi (played by Liu Ye), and Long-legged Uncle (played by Ni Hongjie) and, their respective spouses and children.
Shen Fei, the eldest son, is a successful businessman who is known for his flashy lifestyle and a playboy image. He has a girlfriend, Jojo (played by Christy Chung), who is an ambitious model and often accompanies him to all his social events. However, despite their constant presence in each other's lives, they both have different priorities, and their relationship lacks commitment and depth.
The middle son, Shen Dong, is a bit of an oddball who suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. He spends most of his time cleaning and disinfecting his surroundings and is often seen carrying around a spray bottle and tissue paper. As a result, he has difficulty forming interpersonal relationships and struggles to connect with others.
The youngest son, Shen Xi, who is the father of two children, has been married for several years but his marriage is on the rocks. His wife, Xiao Ye (played by Wei Zhao), is an aspiring writer who feels trapped in her mundane life as a housewife and resents her husband for not understanding her ambitions. She spends most of her time away from home, writing and attending book clubs.
As the Shen family gathers for Grandpa Shen's birthday, he makes it clear that he wants to see his grandchildren happily married before he passes away. He decides to offer a considerable sum of money to the first grandchild who gets married. The race to win the money sets off a chain of events that leads to comedic situations and romantic entanglements.
The movie showcases the individual struggles of each family member and the challenges they face as they navigate their lives. Shen Fei, who seems to have it all, realizes that his flashy lifestyle and superficial relationships are not fulfilling. He begins to question his priorities and starts to have feelings for a childhood friend, Ling-Ling (played by Tian Jing), who is a kind-hearted woman who runs a local coffee shop.
Shen Dong, who has been closed off from the world due to his OCD, starts to come out of his shell when he meets a bubbly and outgoing artist, Lili (played by Lv Jiarong). Lili introduces him to new experiences and helps him overcome his fears.
Shen Xi and Xiao Ye, whose marriage is on the rocks, struggle to find common ground. The two spend most of their time fighting and arguing, but despite their differences, they still love each other. They slowly begin to understand and appreciate each other's perspectives and work towards rebuilding their relationship.
The movie beautifully portrays the complexities of modern-day relationships and the importance of communication, compromise, and understanding. It shows that love and connection can be found in the most unexpected places and that happiness is not always found in material possessions.
Better and Better is a heart-warming and entertaining movie that will make you laugh and leave you feeling uplifted. The film's beautiful setting in the picturesque city of Suzhou, China, adds to its charm, and the dynamic and talented cast brings the characters to life.
Better and Better is a 2013 romance movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 45 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.