User Reviews

Young runaway thug meets little bullied student. Now, you may be thinking: cliche, cliche, cliche. Well, it may look that way, at first sight. But, matter of fact, the end result is - on the other hand, and by all means - utterly surprising and especially convincing. Never trite, never simplistic, never needlessly tear-jerking, never rhetorical (with the sole exception of the finale, but we'll get there...). An almost-masterpiece of social conscious drama.

Even though - you know, because of the all-encompassing censorship - the movie has to proceed by "suggesting" and "implying", it still manages to convey an interesting point, in a manner which is never - I repeat, never - dull or silly. The movie manages to picture a complex everyday reality for an ever-to-large number of students, to picture an oppressing and uncompromising environment, full of every kind of pressure: scholastic, familiar, societal... Competition at all costs and unrestrained pursue of academic excellence are matched by a society which generally entails full-blown individual oppression. In such a context, there's little room left for hope and little hope left in the possibility of changing things for the better.

Edge-of-your-seat gripping and memorable, "Better Days" crawls you in to never let you go, and as I said it compels you to see and investigate, and not ignore (which is always too easy to do). You will see with your own eyes what it means to grow up in a strictly hierarchical society, where you are from a very young age "put into the right pace" and "educated" to the most complete abnegation and the most fatalistic acceptance. Compelled to always be on-the-top-of-your-game, compelled to never fail, never slow down. Because failing is not an option, failing just one test may complete ruin your future existence. Of course, there's consequentially no time for compassion, no time for any kind of distraction, no time to really socialize (and empathize), no time to play, no time to fool around. You must be always perfect. Perfect. Again: at all costs.

I mean, the unbearable pressure which Asian's students have always be subjected to reaches almost paroxysmal levels (for another example of this state of things, I'd strongly suggest you also give a chance to the chilling Korean movie "Pluto", 2012).

By suggesting and implying "Better Days" seems to have been able to elude censorship to some degree. Yes, the finale is clearly false: the last ten minutes or so have most probably been added because of censorship. But - almost incredibly - this finale doesn't really ruin the good work done in the two hours plus before it. Because it's very critical and very hard-hitting, and not by any chance consolatory or reassuring or uplifting, with all due respect to the propaganda agency.

So, in the end, to sum it all up I would say that the movie doesn't make any new point and doesn't really cover any new ground, but it's able to face its topical subject matter with assurance and ability, and great technical gift, as made clear by the excellent directing, the dark gloomy cinematography and great acting (the two protagonists really have a unique chemistry).

"Better Days" is a great movie. Realistic, poignant and thought-provoking. A little gem. Don't miss it.

I was unable to take my eyes off of the screen for the entire movie. A girl is preparing to take her entrance exams in order to enter Beijing University. The competition is fierce and after the suicide of a fellow student, she is bullied by a few extremely vicious classmates. A street thug crosses paths with her and winds up protecting her from her tormentors. A plot twist involving her foes turns this into a top tier crime drama. The two leads are tremendous and by the end of the film I was emotionally drained. This is an example of what movie is meant to be. It should have won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Nominated for best foreign language movie , I was curious to watch as the synopsis sounded interesting.

The story is set in the class sitting their final exam of a college in order to move to university.

Bullying takes a terrible toll and one girl who comes from humble roots is caught up in a series of threats from the bullies Her path crosses a hardened criminal and an unlikely alliance is formed.

A wonderfully written script and direction that give scenes with little dialogue deep resonance and emotion.

Very moving movie which highlights the subject of bullying and those that carry it out and those that observe but do nothing.

Highly recommended.

Every June, almost 10 million Chinese students sit for the National College Entrance Examination, or the "Gaokao". For many, this nine-hour exam is considered the most important deciding factor in a student's future: Success on the Gaokao is what determines acceptance to China's universities, which in turn determines one's future career.

Although Better Days was initially censored by the Chinese government, the decision was later changed and the movie began showing in theaters. It's not hard to see why it enticed controversy in the first place as it portrays the Gaokao as a high pressure environment that fosters bullying, mental illness, and suicide. It opens a window to a world where students study endless hours in cram schools for their chance at a good future. Accountability in bullying cases is a recurring theme that underlies the movie.

But don't get this wrong, this isn't a story about the Gaokao. This is a story about heartbreak. Heartbreak for students who are bullied by their peers. Heartbreak for single parents who put their hopes and dreams on their children. Heartbreak for those who love unconditionally and are willing to sacrifice everything. Dongyu Zhou (Soul Mate, Under the Hawthorn Tree) and Jackson Yee (TFboys) are deft as two halves of a love story while Director Derek Tsang masterfully captures the sheer range of both leads. The cinematography doesn't go unnoticed either as every shot has tremendous depth for those paying close attention.

Of the many lines that stand out in this movie, one that resonates particularly is "If you weren't the bully, then you were being bullied." To me, this is what makes the film so powerful: its ability to pull at your heart over and over again. Go out and see this film. When you leave the theater, reflect on what you saw. Wonder how despite how far we have come, we still have so much left to go.

We often hear about how students in China are among the most hard-working in the world, real go-getters. The underbelly of this is the severe stress under which they operate. Derek Tsang's Academy Award-nominated "Shaonian de ni" ("Better Days" in English). The protagonist is a bullied girl about to take the National College Entrance Exam. She hooks up with a local hoodlum, but surprises remain in store.

The torment from the bullying reflects the pressure from the exam. It's a truly tough world for this girl as various events conspire to close the walls in on her. The complex characters and the general intensity of the plot make this one movie that you have to see. It's the first of Tsang's movies that I've seen, but I certainly hope to see more of them. A real masterpiece.

It will lead u thinking the flaw of education system we have.Director darely zoom in actor facial almost 3/4 of the screen to drew u inside the emotion. The interrogation scene will so perfectly edit,cut and switch between the two lead actors Some of the scene where two actor will just looking each other without saying any word and u already feel how much tough time they went through..its slowly put the spicy ingredients without your notice in beginning and burst into tears and deep thoughts in the end of the movie .its definitely the best Chinese movie of the year.

Derek Tsang's Oscar Nominated (Best International Film) is an impassioned look at school bullying. The movie can be unsparing in depiction of the maltreatment, and, at times it seems like life for our teenage heroine Chen Nian (Dongyu Zhou) is nothing but abuse, whether it be physical or psychological. Still, Tsang brings to it a style and a sweep that is emotionally satisfying all the while.

Chen is a smart high school student on the verge of taking the national college entrance boards - think SAT but done on a Super Bowl level*. The pressures are enormous enough without having a nasty gang of Heathers using all kinds of tactics to make her life miserable. Chen strikes up an unlikely relationship with a street hustler named Xiao Bei (Jackson Yee) and he agrees to be her personal bodyguard of sorts.

The scenes with Chen and Xiao give Tsang an opportunity to really show off his visual skills, even if some of it seems cribbed from Wong Kar-Wai (he is hardly the first, of course, look no further than Sofia Coppola). Varqa Beuher's electronic score adds to the propulsive mix. Tsang also employs time jumps and a lot of cross-cutting - not always to the movie's advantage. A third act twist somewhat derails the story into legal thriller territory. Still, there is no denying Tsang's prowess even at its most overwrought. Zhou is in her late 20s, but, her waif-like appearance easily convinces that she is 17, and her performance is extremely affecting. HK teen idol Yee has a good screen presence to add to their screen chemistry.

BETTER DAYS tells a universal story about bullying, but, it has a vision of its own. Tough subject matter, but, a very rewarding one.

* There has been some internet controversy about Jiu Yuexi's source novel that the movie is based on being unduly influenced by a similar Japanese book by author Higashino Keigo. Of course, in Japan, the national exams are perhaps the most famously hellish in the world.

Overall not bad. Directing, camera, music, acting are all good. Criticism: too many crying, and bad ending. It has to end this way otherwise it will not pass Chinese government censorship.

Bullying ~ the big menace in school. How it affects the bullied person mentally, emotionally, physically. The role of parenting. Not only giving birth but also becoming the parent. The school, teachers, parents, law, and above all we people; have to stop it. The story telling is good. The sacrifice we make, for the other persons.. Important message given which we dont think is a big issue. We take certain issues less important but actually being much more important. Questions raised on loyality, friends, bullying, parenting and much more. See for the message!

With the debut of Yee on cinema, this film is generally a nice attempt for Chinese films based on school-bullying theme. While the original novel from which this film recomposed is suffering from deputes, saying it has plagiarised both the Japanese original novel and the cover of CMBYN.

"If this is how the world works, would you bring a child into it?"

Powerful story of bullying, friendship, sacrifice, and the crucible Chinese kids go through in trying to get into the best universities, urged on by the platitudes of adults, so that they can have a better life. Zhou Dongyu and Jackson Yee turn in soulful performances as kids who are vulnerable in different ways, and Zhou Ye is perfectly evil as the main bully. Even with someone looking out for you, who will protect the protector? The film probably goes on a tad too long, but the way parts of the story are revealed and the emotions it plays on keep it riveting throughout.

I don't like ELEPHANT(2003), but this movie is kind of the same homogeneous from the former. After watching this, felt like I've watch two movie. The first half is about bully in school, the second is like.....ah, about love or something, after all it is akward. Sitting in the cinema, I can't help stop thinking, why am I here watching this , why the director will make those lines so childish and navie? Wait, she did that thing?

It's torture in the second hour. What's going on in the school, why bully happen, who take the responsibility of bully, the teacher or those adult who were watching ? What next?

Yeah, next is the subtitles, said, China government will do something blablabla, full of platitudes.

Anyone that is familiar with the Japanese author Keigo Higashino, and his novel Journey under the midnight sun should find this film eerily familiar, that is because the novel that this film was adapted from is a blatant act of piracy. Everything from it's plot to character development and even some dialogue were a lifted from Journey under the midnight sun and I think it's quite vital that everyone knows this.

The story is heartbreaking! Plus the acting of two main characters are extremely amazing! Not to mention Zhou Dongyu, 27-year-old acting as 18-year-old ChenNian, not presented by a big yelling, only by the drops of heartbreaking tears. She is such a talented actress. Her performance evoked everyone's emotions and totally expressed her fear and hatred. Another scene about Xiaobei shaving her head which is so true and touchable!

This movie had me bawling. All the actors nailed their performance especially the two protagonist. They had a beautiful chemistry. Their love was pure and deep. It definitely is one of the best 2019 movie. Our times is my all time favourite asian coming of age movie. And this just became my second favourite.

This movie was hard to watch. Incredibly sad to see what some people go through. Though it is quite dark & harrowing to watch, it may be a good idea to be shown in all high schools.

Watched this file in China. Love this film, especially touched by major actor and actress. There are so many scenes that are really touched and impressed, like when the Nian and Bei in the trial room and they looked at each other without saying any word, but I cried heavily by just looking at their eyes and their facial expressions. The music and photography in this movie are also very nice. The critical theme I read from this movie is to prevent young kids from campus violence, which is still very common anywhere. Maybe not everyone like Nian can be protected and loved by someone like Bei, but I hope there is no more campus violence and everyone who had experienced or is experiencing campus violence can still have the hope of better days, and everyone who witness the campus violence can standup and stop the violence bravely. I think I'll take my friends to watch the movie again when the movie is released in US.

I was given the chance to sit down and watch "Better Days" (aka "Shao nian de ni") here in 2020, and of course I jumped at the chance as this was an Asian movie that I hadn't already seen.

I didn't know anything about the movie when I sat down to watch it, so I didn't have any expectations to it either. Which was good, because director Derek Tsang definitely didn't fail to impress.

This movie was pretty hard-hitting, director Derek Tsang seemed to know what buttons to push for optimal effect. And I will say that the movie can actually turn out to be difficult for some viewers to watch.

The storyline was good, and it was driven by something of a mixture of an interesting script and storyline, along with some really impressive acting performances. I was especially impressed with the performance of Dongyu Zhou - in the lead role as Chen Nian - as she really carried the movie phenomenally. Her performance really blew me away, and made it so well-worth watching the movie.

The movie deals with bullying, a subject that can be somewhat delicate for some viewers. But I think that director Derek Tsang managed to present the movie in a convincing and realistic manner. Well, at least I was genuinely entertained by what transpired up to the end of the movie, where the story sort of fell apart for me. I didn't like the ending one bit, nor the sudden and abrupt turn of direction that the story took. But hey, to each their own.

"Better Days" is a movie that flew under my radar, but it is a movie that you most definitely should take the time to sit down and watch, if you are given the chance. I am rating it six out of ten stars.

Tsang is no question a force to be reckoned him. Without him the film is perhaps at best a 5/10, as the script and story is forgettable and predictable. The director is able to instil a sense of modernism and style into the film. Better Days is also helped out by having a strong performance from both of the leads. Regardless, the motif and theme of the movie has to be told one way or another, bullying is perhaps an often forgotten topic in Chinese society, and one that is not always recognized in a country where everything is developing at such a lightning pace. More of these films should and needs to be made, works like this raises awareness but most importantly really looks at the human side & reasoning behind bullying.

Disappointed when you expected more to be given under such a controversial social phenomenon.

So sad, so beautiful, so real, the scenes of Chen Nian and Xiao Bei are cute, poetic and sensitive, warm our hearts, in contrast, the Bullying scenes hurt in the soul... But a divine film nominated for Oscar and very necessary, undoubtedly in the dispute with Druk and Colectiv (who deserves more in the documentary category) this leads ... Exciting outcome, wonderful unfolding, lyrical scenes, Dongyu Zhou deserved a little Oscar nomination... Wonderful...

It's a good one but it might be better if they focused more on the bullying issue and it's underlying causes, the romance is okay but not quite necessary

The film is based on a novel that borrows from three of Mr. Higashino's books, and it mixes the plots of all three. The film's director studied Chinese law carefully and changed the plot of the novel so that we knew it was copied but could do nothing about it. We think this is a very shameless behavior, which seriously harms the interests of the original author. We are very supportive of Keigo Higashino to stand up for himself. And I hope Jackson Yee's fans don't come here to get rave reviews!