WITH sketchy comedy, social puns and romantic melodrama, this film could have been much better if not for its pacing problems.
It’s written, directed and produced by Michelle Chong (Already Famous and Three Peas In A Pod), who also plays the titular character, Lulu. The film also suffers from horrible writing without proper build-up or character development. It reaches its climax rather abruptly, leaving viewers with a sense of dissatisfaction.
Just like the character from Singapore’s Channel 5 sitcom, The Noose, Lulu, the Chinglish-sprouting PRC or mainland Chinese woman is loud, obnoxious and overtly flamboyant when it comes to fashion, to say the least.
With her big curly hair and leopard-print leggings and jacket, Lulu arrives in Singapore, hoping to meet her prince charming, Brad Pit (Chen Tian Wen), who lives in a beautiful villa.
Unfortunately, she finds out that Brad is not who he claims to be. Instead, he lives in a rundown shophouse and works as a usher in a local bank. His twin brother, Leon (Leon Jay Williams), on the other hand, is a successful businessman.
To support herself, Lulu becomes a karaoke hostess. At first, she is shunned by her younger and better looking colleagues due to her questionable fashion sense.
But her unconventional fashion sense catches the attention of German fashion maestro Karl (Mark van Cuylenburg), who offers her a spot in his fashion show. The duo end up collaborating on making Lulu’s own fashion label.
Lulu eventually becomes a top fashion icon and host but not without still having to deal with the pressure to conform as well as outright discrimination.
Actor Chen Tian Wen, who took the internet by storm early last year with his kitschy music video, Unbelievable, is one of the highlights of the film.
Chen leaves his karaoke singing alter ego behind and opts for a more relaxed role. Although his character is named after handsome actor Brad Pitt, Chen looks like the average Joe. However, his kindness and carefree attitude add a lot of heart to the film. Unfortunately, his character disappears halfway through the film.
There are also many cameos by prominent Singaporean YouTubers, such as the folks from Night Owl Cinematics and Mediacorp artistes Sharon Au, Terence Cao, Suhaimi Yusof and Dee Kosh.
Radio announcer Mark van Cuylenburg a.k.a. The Flying Dutchman provides some laughs in the film, playing fashion icon Karl Lagerfield.
There are also multiple in-your-face kind of product placements. Rather annoying and distasteful, these make the film look cheap and less authentic.
One has to give credit to Chong for bringing the eccentric character to life. It is amazing to watch her embody the character with so much flair. She is every bit as believable as an obnoxiously loud mainlander.
From the accent to her characteristics, there are plenty of laughs as soon as Lulu appears. The film shines when Lulu interviews people on the street in London, Shanghai and Singapore about her bizarre fashion sense.
As a director, Chong was involved in every aspect of the film, from conceptualising and casting to writing, directing and playing Lulu. The film provides plenty of laughs and there are also messages on self-acceptance, understanding and the universal theme of love.
It also imparts the message for the audience to love themselves more and be happy with who they are inside and out.
“Why must Lulu becomes like everyone else? Why can’t Lulu becomes Lulu?” as she asks in the film.
That’s right. Why can’t we just be ourselves?
NOW SHOWING
**LULU THE MOVIE** (MANDARIN/ENGLISH)
Directed by Michelle Chong
Starring Michelle Chong, Chen Tian Wen, Glenn Ong, Leon Jay Williams, Mark van Cuylenburg, Sharon Au
Duration 100 minutes
Rating P13