Saturday, August 25, 2007

881

881 is about 七月歌台 which is filled with melodious hokkien songs. The movie soundtrack receives 供不应求 response. In general, it feels like watching a slapstick musical but with a very local Singapore taste. Though I have not been to any 七月歌台, if I am a regular then probably I might have a more developed feel to the movie.

木瓜 sisters met each other at a 歌台 and since clicked like real sisters. Their zeal towards singing well at 七月歌台 made them seek help from "歌台仙姑" which somehow is the twin sister of their "manager", 玲姨.

Their 联绵不断 string of numerous song names which turned into reasons of urging "歌台仙姑" to help them is quite funny. At some moment, I thought it should be stopping, but it kept continuing ... Hahahaha

So "歌台仙姑" agreed, gave them 仙毛 and so called 打通 their vocal 任督二脉 ....

Almost everything is in hokkien, making it very funny at some of the scenes where the dialogue was humourous. 玲姨's son, 关音 who is mute and somehow keep holding to his pet chicken all day long. And some sexual innuendos to it brought some more hahahaha ...

Numerous extravagant costumes are worn by the 木瓜 sisters. They are colourful and elaborate which I believes exudes what the 七月歌台 is about, a performance for the "兄弟" to enjoy. The costumes change is a joy to watch, is like each change gives a pleasant surprise.

The typical melodic hokkien songs which are belted out very frequently throughout the movie. Even expressing certain moods are through songs but most are very sad songs.

The story involves another duo group called the 榴莲 sisters which is vying with the 木瓜 sisters to be the most popular duo in the 歌台 scene. This competition adds some action to the whole plot and the final showdown between the 2 was quite entertaining with numerous costumes change and rendition of hokkien songs.

With all these, 小木瓜 who is stricken by cancer has been struggling to perform every show to her best. The last scene where she was embracing 大木瓜 and both singing. It was going in circles where each turn we see her hair dropping as a result of chemo.

She died eventually. And only at every 七月歌台 ... 大木瓜, 关音 and 玲姨 are so called "reunited" with her. 8/10.

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