The second movie from Hong Kong this year that focuses on people with disabilities, although in a completely different approach than “In Broad Daylight”, Au Cheuk Man's “Stand Up Story” follows a more dramatic approach, in order to present the relationship of a young man with his intellectually disabled father.
“Stand Up Story” is screening at Asian Pop Up Cinema
From a young age, Mancer had realized that his father, Wah, was different from other adults, as he was frequently speaking illogically, had slow comprehension and was quite easily deceived. As he grew up, he realized that he was intellectually disabled, but his mother's abandonment of the two forced him to grow up early and also take care of his father. As the pandemic hits, the life of the two becomes even harder, with the young man facing financial issues also, as a number of people seem to exploit his father, starting from the elderly lady that employs him. A female classmate, though, introduces him to stand-up comedy, and an initially reluctant Mancer finally finds a way out of his issues. Finally he realizes that sometimes, misery can lead to comedy, as he uses his father's and his own experiences with him to make people laugh.
Au Cheuk Man directs a very tender movie that portrays the aforementioned unusual relationship in a way that is realistic on occasion, but also moves towards (melo) dramatic paths through a coming-of-age filter. This last aspect is actually the most interesting in the movie, as we watch Mancer realizing more about his father, and coming to terms with his situation and especially the way his mother left them. The way stand up comedy but also the relationship with his classmate helps him overcome, or at least adjust to his life is the most entertaining aspect of the movie, with Au Cheuk Man making a direct comment about how humor can be the solution to even the hardest problems. Evidently, the remark is somewhat romanticized but the approach works quite well, particularly because it prevents the movie from becoming utterly melodramatic.
Check also this interview
The story of the father and particularly its ending does move towards a sentimentalist path, but considering the main theme of the movie, that seemed almost inevitable. At the same time, the difficulties of such a situation for both individuals are presented quite realistically, starting from Mance's childhood until the present, in an aspect that definitely adds to the quality of the movie. On the other hand, a bit more focus on how Wah managed to get married would definitely help the storyline, although that could also move towards different, even more dramatic paths. Mance's romance with his classmate is also a bit problematic in its presentation, but is also quite entertaining to watch.
Probably the best aspect of the film is the acting. Ben Yuen as Wah is exceptional throughout the movie, presenting his mental issues in the most realistic but also rewarding fashion, highlighting both his issues and his kind-hearted nature. Ng Siu-hin as Mancer is also quite good, both as a frustrated young man and as stand-up comedian, with the presentation of the particular world also being rather nice. Ng Wing-Sze as Mance's girlfriend concludes the rather likable protagonists with her feistiness and “against all odds” mentality working quite nicely throughout the film, equally as entertainment and relief from all the drama. The chemistry of the two is definitely one of the film's best qualities.
The cinematography is quite polished, in a style that seems to dominate Hong Kong movies lately, which does, however, work quite well in terms of visuals. The editing results in a relatively fast pace, which is unusual for the subject matter, but also fits the general aesthetics of the narrative, and particularly the romance and the comedy.
“Stand Up Story” has its issues regarding the narrative, but as the sum of its individual aspects, it definitely leans on the positive side, particularly because it manages to draw laughter from a situation that is quite dramatic, without compensating particularly in terms of realism.
