Um Romance do Além (2022)

A buddy cop movie with an atypical ghost element

This buddy cop movie is quite atypical as it features a fantastical element with this very interesting concept of "ghost marriage". It contains a lot of the usual elements of such movie with the investigation, the buddying up between 2 very different individuals as well as the comedic aspects but the LGBTQ+ topic approached in addition with the fantastical twist bring some freshness to the genre.

It is quite light and does not take itself very seriously, it has almost a parodic vibe. This makes it an overall fun watch which could have been even better with a tighter writing and a better pacing. The acting is quite good: I was more convinced by the comedic scenes than by the emotional ones...Still, I'm quite certain that it is more related to the script being a bit bonkers at times as well as the filmmaking a bit over-the-top than to the actors themselves.

The music did not leave a lasting impression on me and I'm not sure I will necessarily re-watch the movie but I had a good time watching it for sure.

I would recommend this to people that are looking for a comedy with an interesting premise and like buddy cop movies. It is not very memorable, nor very deep, gritty or dark but it is quite entertaining and fun, which is sometimes just what you need.

Leia Mais

A Truly Masterpiece

Okay, here’s my review for MMDB —

1. The Plot :

The movie isn’t without its faults, though. There’s an undeniable excess in its runtime, making it feel a tad bit overstretched. And yeah, some of the CGI action sequences had me wishing they’d spent a little more on the tech. Still, it’s the sheer audacity of the plot and its refreshing take on acceptance that makes it a must-watch.
Let’s not forget the supporting characters that add layers to the story. Gingle Wang as Tzu-ching gives us an insight into the gender disparity in the workplace, making us applaud and also roll our eyes at how criminally underused she is.

2. Why It’s Important :

At a time when movies often play it safe, “Marry My Dead Body” pushes boundaries and embraces storytelling that’s more than just entertainment — it’s a statement. The movie portrays the power of change, the ability to confront one’s own prejudices, and the transformative nature of love, even in its non-traditional forms. As societal views progress, films like this act as markers, reminding us how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.

3. Why It’s Different:

Most romantic comedies follow a well-trodden path: boy meets girl, they face challenges, they overcome them, end of story. But here, the narrative isn’t just about romance; it’s a dynamic journey that delves deep into acceptance, cultural shifts, and challenging deeply ingrained prejudices.

4. The Humorous Complexities:

Underneath its comedic layer, “Marry My Dead Body” hides a web of intricacies. From navigating the moral maze of acceptance to dealing with a mischievous ghost, the movie beautifully blends humor with complex issues. It tickles the funny bone while making the brain gears turn, a combination that’s as rare as it’s delightful.

5. Lessons Learn:

“Marry My Dead Body” isn’t just a quirky rom-com; it’s an ode to acceptance, understanding, and growth, beautifully disguised in a storyline filled with giggles, gasps, and a few heartfelt tears. It invites viewers to laugh, reflect, and most importantly, to grow. It is a testament to the evolving cultural landscape of Taiwan and a message to the world about the universal language of love and acceptance.

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I THOUGHT THIS WAS A COMEDY??? WHY AM I CRYING???

Man this is false marketing, the trailer made it seem like a comedy and it is but it made me cry so much too. I didn't think I would like a "bro"mance series but I did. It was so good. It made me cry and laugh. I love the stupidness of this movie. It was so out of pocket most of the time. I was laughing my guts out and then it also made me cry my eyes out. I love the character development, from a stupid straight homophobic guy to a caring lovable ally. I truely loved the growth. I also loved the bad guy in this series, boy she was a bad bitch and it all ended on a good note. I really hope if he gets recarnated again they are actually a couple now. What a good movie.

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Get your tissues ready!!!!

Just finished watching and all I can say is AMAZING!!! What an amazing movie! The wait was worth it! I was so ready for this movie. The trailer was great, and it definitely did not disappoint! I laughed so hard and cried my eyes out all at the same time. UGHHHHH so good! We will miss you MaoMao ♥ I didn't mind that it wasn't a true BL but if it was omggg! The love and respect Ming Han showed MaoMao proves that Ming started to care about him. Bromances are just as good as BL. The chemistry was DEFINITELY there! I loved every moment of this movie. I would've never guessed Zi Qing, and her backstory gave Kill Bill vibes lol. So, thinking of it that way made sense to me. Also, it wasn't even shown whether she got caught or not, which I am guessing she probably didn't? Which tbh in my opinion wasn't the center of the movie. Seeing how much Ming Han had changed after MaoMao ascended was beautiful! I mean peek the tumblr guys! I thought it was MaoMao's cup and maybe it was when he was alive but to see Ming Han with it just warmed my heart. The fact that he is still living in the apartment as well and showing his respects to MaoMao just made me smile and cry all over again!

What an amazing job producer! Hands down a 10/10 for me!

Leia Mais

Unexpectedly good

Looks like this is the gay year! This is the second watch of the year and this year is off to a great start with one great surprise after another! I had no expectations when I picked up this film but it was so hilarious, emotional, and well-crafted. It made me laugh so hard, but it also shocked me with its plot twists and made me cry. That's so special since I've just gone through some shows lately that were so emotionally uninspiring or lacking. Then there's this film. It goes the extra mile in its silly, goofy humor but also stays level-headed enough to tell an interesting story with a logical plot and give that extra emotional kick by the end.

Summary: A homophobic policeman accidentally gets himself into a ghost marriage with a gay guy. In his desperation to get rid of the ghost, he tries to help him reincarnate by fulfilling his wish. The last wish? Avenge his death by finding the killer.

Plot: It's not super complex but it's very well-made and it just works so well from start to finish, it was so satisfying. It also had some elements that I'm so not used to seeing from East Asian shows that I was a little shocked! hehe... I also liked how bold they were with both trying to land the jokes and also just pushing the characters out of their comfort zone. The film was committed to the gags and that was impressive.

Acting: Everyone did a great job. Better than their other projects that I have seen before. Now, if I think about it too hard, I can see some people complaining about cliche stereotypes but I feel like that would need a dive into some philosophical arguments about heteronormativity and socially expected behavior and asfdaghshd....it's not that deep! The acting worked in context.

Music and production: It was good.

Rewatch value: Sure, if you have the time.

Overall: This was a good funny film and I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended. Warning: It has nudity. Just...saying.

Leia Mais

Well produced BL with a VERY good concept but still not enough, I want more

Finally sat down and watched it, second Taiwanese film I've watched where the main BL "couple" (or not so in this case it's kind of one sided) does not end up getting together at the end which gave me insane whiplash because the regular motherload of BL focuses on how quickly the main couple becomes canon

Anyways this one has an actual plot and I thought it was pretty intriguing, the idea of a homophobic cop being forced to marry a dead gay guy because he has been cursed with bad luck after picking up a red letter and now he has to solve the mystery of his murder is actually cool, it's not a meet cute plot it's not a contrived highschool scenario it doesn't feel like fanfiction this actually feels like a movie

It's scooby doo level mystery but I thought the weakest part about it is Mao Mao, it's nearly impossible to sympathize with him throughout the duration of the movie, another issue is the comedy, Taiwanese humor is so lost on me it just barely ever cracks a good enough punchline but there are definitely some that got a smile or two out of me

The production value though, oh my god did they spend a good dime on this movie especially the CGI which looks really stupid but they still went out of their way

It also ends unceremoniously I was honestly surprised, it was a very weird decision to have the ghost reincarnate at the middle of the movie and then have it come back as a gag to the plot and then re-reincarnate for even less of the emotional value at the end with a half baked confession from the dad

For BL standards, this is good, we almost never have a decent plot and this one at least bothers having an overarching one, carried by Greg Han who is actually so insanely hot my god

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Quirky fun

Ridiculous idea which could have turned out really badly...but it was funny, silly and sad. A homophobic cop (Greg Hsu) messes up again and again until he finds himself in the biggest mess he's made: somehow he ends up marrying a man (Austin Lin)...who happens to be dead!

It was inevitable that the cop would have an epiphany and become less (and eventually not) homophobic but the journey there was fun (and sometimes I just rolled my eyes).

What I liked: good looking male leads! There were some laugh out loud (and I did), verging on slapstick, scenes throughout the film and especially towards the end. I admit that the ambulance scene made me sad and then almost cheer.

What I didn't like: the reason the female character was looking for vengeance was too obvious for my liking, but I could see that it brought a major part of the story to its conclusion.

Overall, a fun film which is worth watching if you fancy trying something different.

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