The Brilliant Kisses (Những Nụ Hôn Rực Rỡ)
April 1, 2011 by quyen
Vietnam 2010
97 min / color video
Vietnamese with English subtitles
Producer: BHD - Vietnam Studio
Director/Writer: Nguyen Quang Dung
Cinematographer: Tan Loc
Music: Vo Thien Thanh
Costume Designer: Ngo Thai Uyen
Main Cast: Thanh Hang, Minh Hang, Pham Anh Tuan, Ngoc Huy, Ngoc Trai, Lan Nha, Van Anh, Quang Le, Phuong Thanh, Phuoc Sang
The Brilliant Kisses by filmmaker Nguyen Quang Dung is a rare gem, a visual and musical delight packed with hidden pleasures and unexpected suprises. This is a daring entrée into the musical genre from the Vietnamese film industry, reminiscent of uplifting works such as Mamma Mia! and Stomp. Splashes of vibrant color accentuate the natural beauty of the resort as the film’s catchy soundtrack (a wide-ranging repertoire of vocal and dance numbers that includes funk, blues-tinged rock, Vietnamese pop, tango, and folk) capture the infectiously joyful spirit of the film’s ensemble cast.
The story unfolds in a secluded vacation resort in Nha Trang. It’s a special place, pristine but unknown, a diamond in the rough; but even more precious are the people who live and work there, who themselves harbor talents, secrets, and unspoken love waiting to be discovered. The resort owner believes she has found an answer to her financial problems when she dupes a popular boy band singer into performing in a publicity concert. What happens next is a collision of lives with their dreams, struggles, and triumphs—a young maid who aspires to become a singer against the wishes of her oppressive aunt, whose painful past had caused her to lose faith in romance and music; a popular young performer desperately seeking to escape from reality; a cleaning staff chief with her carefully-guarded secret; and a head chef whose undeclared love takes him to a place where pots and pans replace his drums. Wrapped within the overlapping storylines is a final surprise involving one character’s confession—a courageous dive into the controversial subject of homosexuality, particularly from a Vietnamese filmmaker.
The Brilliant Kisses is a priceless jewel that deserves a close look for what you will find: hope, love, and the sparkling possibility of bringing what seems far away a little bit closer to the heart.
By Uyen Huynh
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