I Not Stupid Too

Watch I Not Stupid Too

"Can we talk?"
  • PG-13
  • 2002
  • 2 hr 2 min
  • 6.8  (665)

I Not Stupid Too is a 2006 Singaporean comedy-drama film, written and directed by Jack Neo. It is a sequel to the 2002 film, I Not Stupid, although it is not necessary to watch the first film to fully enjoy this one. The story focuses on three primary characters; Tom Yeo (Shawn Lee), Chengcai Huang (Joshua Ang), and Jiale Goh (Ashley Leong). All three children come from different backgrounds, but their lives intersect as they attend the same school.

Tom is a bright boy who comes from a wealthy family. His parents are very hands-off with their parenting, which has led him to feel neglected and disconnecting with the world around him, despite having everything a kid could want. Chengcai is from a middle-class family, and is the son of a crane operator. He feels the pressure to do well in school and make something of himself, in order to provide for his family. Finally, Jiale is from a working-class family, and her parents are both hawkers. She feels lost and directionless in her life, wanting to find her passion and pursue it but facing resistance from her parents who want her to focus solely on her studies.

The film tackles a variety of social issues that affected Singapore during the early 2000s, such as the education system, the pressures of grades, and the role of parents in shaping their children's futures. It does so through the perspectives of these three children, who are dealing with the challenges in their own unique ways.

Tom's storyline follows his desire to break free from his privileged life and feel like he has purpose. He is consistently at ends with his parents, particularly his father, who is very controlling and obsessed with his son's grades. However, when Tom starts to get into trouble at school, his father puts even more pressure on him, leading to escalating conflicts between them.

Chengcai's struggle deals with societal pressure and his own family expectations. Despite being well-liked in school, his grades are not strong enough to get him into a top-tier secondary school, the main goal for his parents. When Chengcai's father loses his job, he feels an added weight on his shoulders to make a bright future that can bring their family out of their new economic downturn.

Finally, Jiale's journey in the movie covers the importance of following one's passion, even if it goes against societal expectations. She initially allows herself to become consumed by her studies, hoping to make her parents proud, but eventually, she realizes that her true interests lie in filmmaking. She takes a risk and joins a film contest, forging her path as an artist.

The film ends with a well-crafted plot twist that ties the three stories together. As each of the protagonists grappled with their issues in their unique ways, they come together to show that it is okay to be vulnerable and ask for help.

Overall, I Not Stupid Too is a heartwarming and thought-provoking film that shares a perspective on societal pressures and how they impact young people. The humor in the film provides great comedic relief, while it also tackles heavy subjects with nuance and depth. It is an excellent film that should be enjoyed by both adults and children alike.

I Not Stupid Too
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Description
  • Release Date
    2002
  • MPAA Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    2 hr 2 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (665)