Watch That's the Way I Like It

That's the Way I Like It is a 1998 Singaporean romantic comedy directed by Glen Goei. The movie follows the journey of a group of friends in the 1970s disco scene of Singapore, particularly the aspiring singer Kartini (played by Medaline Tan) and her admirer Richard Low (played by Adrian Pang). Set in a Singapore that was still finding its identity post-independence, the movie touches on issues such as race, social class, and gender expectations. But at its core, it's a light-hearted feel-good movie about finding oneself and chasing one's dreams.

Kartini, a young Malay woman, works as a telephone operator but dreams of becoming a famous disco singer. She has a talent for singing and a natural charisma that shines on stage. However, her traditional family disapproves of her choices, and her overprotective father often nags her about getting married and having children.

Richard is a Chinese man who works as a clerk in the same telephone company as Kartini. He's smitten with her and often goes to the disco to see her perform. However, he's too shy to tell her how he feels, and his lack of ambition makes him wonder whether he's worthy of her.

Their friendship is tested when a Hong Kong record producer, Robert (played by Pierre Png), comes to Singapore and offers Kartini a recording contract. Robert is a womanizer who's only interested in Kartini's looks and voice. Kartini, blinded by her desire for fame, falls for his tricks and neglects her friends and family. Richard, who always saw the good in Kartini, tries to warn her about Robert's intentions, but she dismisses him as jealous.

Meanwhile, Richard finds inspiration in the disco scene and starts to pursue his passion for dance. He joins a dance competition with his friends, and they practice hard to win the prize money. Richard's newfound confidence and talent catch Kartini's attention, and she starts to see him in a new light.

The movie features many classic disco hits, elaborate costumes, and dance sequences that transport the viewer back to the 70s. The cast brings a lot of energy and charm to their roles, especially Adrian Pang as Richard, who delivers a nuanced performance as a shy man struggling to find his voice. Medaline Tan, in her breakout role, shines as Kartini, a strong-willed woman torn between her dreams and her family. Pierre Png, in his first movie role, plays the sleazy record producer with suave ease.

Overall, That's the Way I Like It is an enjoyable movie that captures the spirit of 70s disco and the struggles of young Singaporeans trying to carve their path in an ever-changing society. It's a testament to the power of friendship, ambition, and love, and it's guaranteed to make you tap your feet and sing along to the music.

That's the Way I Like It is a 1998 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8 and a MetaScore of 52.