Watch I Not Stupid

I Not Stupid is a Singaporean comedy-drama film that was released in 2002, directed by Jack Neo. The movie's theme delves into the obstacles faced by three pre-teens and their respective families in Singapore's highly-competitive academic system. Titled in a manner that captures the movie's essence, I Not Stupid pokes fun at society's pursuit of academic excellence, using exaggeratedly funny analogies to drive home its point. The film goes a long way to show how the school system frequently misjudges the intelligence of students based on factors such as IQ and academic grades, ultimately leading to frustrations and heightened anxiety levels for kids.

The movie follows the lives of three 12-year-olds attending primary six, known as Benjamin Teo (played by Joshua Ang), Kok Pin (Shawn Lee), and Terry (Jaspers Lai), who are struggling in their academic excellence in their respective schools. Through their eyes, we see the pressure and competition that Singapore's education system imposes on young individuals. Much of their lives outside school is spent in cramped homes, either struggling to complete homework or preparing for school evaluations.

Most adults in the movie aren't exempt from pressures emerging from society's competition trend. Benjamin's mother (Liu Qianyi) is a highly-strung, perfectionist who obsesses over his child's exam results. Kok Pin's dad, Mr. Loh (Richard Low), is the zaniest of the adult characters, notorious for his crazy business ideas that are never successful. Mr. Loh's inability to break into Singapore's highly-competitive business sector places enormous pressure on his son, leading to him transferring schools in search of a better education.

Despite sharing similar challenges, Benjamin, Kok Pin and Terry come from different backgrounds. Benjamin represents the working-class family; his mother works in a factory, and his father struggles to retain a job. Terry comes from a single-parent household where his mom is dedicated to acquiring a better education for her child. Kok Pin comes from a wealthier family and is the most outspoken of the three friends.

Throughout the movie, various situations create emotional contrasts. For instance, we see how the three primary six pupils cope with their shortcomings in schools, their parents' expectations, and peer pressures. In a sequence where Kok Pin is licking his wounds after failing the finals, Terry invites him over to his house, where his mother serves an excellent meal. Later, Kok Pin cozies up under the blanket, while Terry tells his life story as he draws attention to the stars.

The strange coming-of-age approach is fascinating to watch, with such moments of friendship and love feeling authentic to its environment. A distorted reality is presented in everyday life, with the CGI and cartoon interludes serving solely to exaggerate the comedy aspect. But at the core of it, the movie unveils the human struggle in a society built with precise structures — structures that can't handle kids on their last resort.

What makes I Not Stupid a commendable movie experience is its attention to detail in showcasing the different aspects of the family dynamic. The movie intends to send a vital message that Singapore's respect for academic excellence has gone overboard. The strong focus on IQ scores and grades shouldn't come at the expense of children's well-being.

In conclusion, I Not Stupid is an excellent movie that takes up a problem that affects a great majority of young people in Singapore. It highlights how the emphasis placed on academic excellence by Singaporean families has become a source of heightened anxiety levels and stress among children. It's a highly-relevant movie that presents its subject matter in an entertaining and amusing light. It's a must-watch for anyone who wishes to explore this growing problem in Singapore, and for anyone who desires to comprehend the pressures that exist in the lives of children who participate in highly competitive educational systems.