Striking right notes

Sheetal

‘Five Blind Dates’ is the first Prime Video original film to have been shot in Australia. It is written by actor-influencer Shuang Hu and actor-comedian Nathan Ramos Park as they both wanted to portray the family pressure of getting married that Asians have to undergo.

As Shuang also plays the lead character, Lia, her performance is believable and natural. Her blind dates do not make an impression except for the one who sticks around for the endgame.

Yoson An’s role as Richard could have been better etched, whereas other supporting actors fit the bill, especially Ilai Swindells as the gay best friend and co-worker of Lia. Ilai is a friend you wish to have around. He is fun.

Lia, a tea-shop owner in Sydney, is failing in her professional life but her dating life takes centrestage as she visits Townsville for her younger sister’s engagement party. A fortune-teller asks her to go on five dates to find true love. It’s a subject that many have experienced and thus the film is a good, light-hearted watch.

The climax is moving as Lia finds her way back to not just love, but to her family as well. It is the thread around themes like separation, expatriate Asians and the Chinese culture that makes it different from other rom-coms this Valentine’s season. The film’s comedy and emotional quotient has an ideal balance.

As for cinematography, shooting in Sydney and Townsville does not add much to the movie since the parties and celebrations are mostly indoors.

The editing is crisp and none of the characters or situations is overstretched. The scene where it all falls apart for Lia has been beautifully filmed. And when you think the director can’t top this, we have a meme of Lia’s outburst. What fun!

Shuang Hu as Lia is not just great at brewing the best Chinese tea, but is also a great writer and actor.

The movie is definitely worth a watch!