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KellyC · 12-14-2010, 01:40 AM

Ocean Heaven - 10/10

This is Jet Li's first movie in which he didn't kick any ass, and not even a punch is thrown. Rather, Li plays a dad, Wang who's dying from terminal liver cancer. Li has a 21-year-old son, Dafu, who's autistic. The film revolves around Li trying to find a place that will take Dafu in after he dies. Also during this time, Wang tries to teach his son how to take care of himself after he dies. What is shown here is Wang's constant uphill battle with his disease and him trying to teach Dafu how to do simple daily tasks. Dafu autistic so every task is a challenge for him, even the simple act of communicating to people around him proves to be problematic. But Wang is ever-so-patient in dealing with Dafu. Every tasks he tries to teach Dafu, you see him meticulously repeating the instruction again and again, breaking down line by line, word by word to make sure Dafu gets it. The process is painfully slow, and some times the audience has doubts whether or not Dafu actually learns something.

IMO, this is Li's best performance of his career. His portrayal of a caring, but dying dad is spot on. Every thing he does is believable. From the way he talks, to his demeanor, his facial expression, and even down to his heavy trodden gait tells you this is a dad who's been through a lot trying to raise his son. The actor who plays Dafu also turns in a superb performance as an autistic man-child, and the same goes for the excellent supporting cast. It's a tear-jerker alright. But the film ends in a manner so satisfying you don't mind being drag along in this long emotional trail.

12-14-2010, 01:40 AM	#3910 (permalink)
KellyC Comment or else!! Location: Home sweet home	Ocean Heaven - 10/10 This is Jet Li's first movie in which he didn't kick any ass, and not even a punch is thrown. Rather, Li plays a dad, Wang who's dying from terminal liver cancer. Li has a 21-year-old son, Dafu, who's autistic. The film revolves around Li trying to find a place that will take Dafu in after he dies. Also during this time, Wang tries to teach his son how to take care of himself after he dies. What is shown here is Wang's constant uphill battle with his disease and him trying to teach Dafu how to do simple daily tasks. Dafu autistic so every task is a challenge for him, even the simple act of communicating to people around him proves to be problematic. But Wang is ever-so-patient in dealing with Dafu. Every tasks he tries to teach Dafu, you see him meticulously repeating the instruction again and again, breaking down line by line, word by word to make sure Dafu gets it. The process is painfully slow, and some times the audience has doubts whether or not Dafu actually learns something. IMO, this is Li's best performance of his career. His portrayal of a caring, but dying dad is spot on. Every thing he does is believable. From the way he talks, to his demeanor, his facial expression, and even down to his heavy trodden gait tells you this is a dad who's been through a lot trying to raise his son. The actor who plays Dafu also turns in a superb performance as an autistic man-child, and the same goes for the excellent supporting cast. It's a tear-jerker alright. But the film ends in a manner so satisfying you don't mind being drag along in this long emotional trail. __________________ Him: Ok, I have to ask, what do you believe? Me: Shit happens.