Should you watch this at weekend movie ticket prices? Yes.
Should you watch this at weekday movie ticket prices? Yes.
Secret ending? No.
Running time: 93 minutes (~1.5 hours)
“Our Sister Mambo” is a Singapore family drama that revolves around the family of the titular Mambo. While they each seek to achieve their dreams, they also learn that sometimes happiness doesn’t come in the conventional package. It stars Moses Lim (Mr Wong), Michelle Chong (Mambo), Audrey Luo (Mrs Wong), Oon Shu An (Rose), Grace (Ethel Yap), and Joey Leong (June).
“Our Sister Mambo” is one of the better Singaporean films produced recently that centre around the theme of happiness and the Singapore dream. The best part is that since it isn’t labelled as such, it doesn’t force the idea of the Singapore dream upon you. Instead, it takes its time to let you get to know the characters, so that you root for them to achieve their own goals, instead of trying to sell you the Singapore dream via their personal goals.
Highlights
The idea of the Singaporean dream
Every character in this film has his or her own personal dreams to fulfil, yet the attainment of their goals doesn’t come in an impractical fashion. The wonderful thing about the movie is that it shows attaining your own Singapore dream can be at your own pace — it’s not an all or nothing kind of dichotomy. This means that while one character can ditch her career to pursue her passion, another character pursues her own dreams through a small performance (rather than throwing away her career as well). This makes the idea of the Singapore dream far more relatable and realistic.
Archetypical Singaporean family
Maybe because it’s helmed by Moses Lim, but the Wong family feels more authentically Singaporean than many families on screen these days. His daughters personify the different types of Singaporeans, giving everyone in the audience a character to identify with.
The new types of Singaporean couples
It’s a bold move to accept that not all couples in Singapore these days will of the same race or nationality. There’s no condemnation or judgement of the fact, just a truthful depiction that Singaporean couples will not all conform to the norms of the previous generation.
Good setups and payoffs
In an excellent bit of writing, setups for future events are skilfully woven into the narrative as part of character development or story. In hindsight, not a single minute of screentime is wasted as each event builds on the previous one, giving us a logical and emotionally satisfying story.
Letdowns
No true climax
There’s never a true climax for the film. Perhaps this is because of the numerous plotlines it has to handle, and how it all gets resolved at different points. It’s not a big issue, just that the film comes to a close in a rather quick and slightly awkward fashion.
“Mambo?” Really?
She may be the eponymous character of the film, but it’s a terribly unbelievable name to have. You never really get used to her name being called. A different name would have sufficed, but then it might not have been as meaningful in a literary sense.
Ultimately, “Our Sister Mambo” spins a relatable yarn about a Singapore family that, while pretty well off, has its own set of trials and tribulations that it must get over. It’s a great film to start the National Day mood with.
“Our Sister Mambo” opens in cinemas 16 July, 2015.
This review was also posted on Yahoo.
Our Sister Mambo, is absolutely and undefiantly the must-watch heart-warming, feel-good and make-your-day-better type family/romantic comedy movie of the year. (The script) Written in a local culture context, the movie is full of characters in which all of us can relate to dearly, one way or another, in our everyday lives. Although it is Cathay Organization’s 80th Anniversary film, its timely release complements well with the celebration mood of Singapore’s 50th Independence Day. It is surely “the Singapore movie to watch” of the season with your love ones, family and friends.
Strangely, unlike the movie title suggests, the storyline is not built primarily on the character, Mambo (played by Michelle Chong). But, Michelle’s overwhelming star power delightfully satisfies the most demanding audience’s appetite with another of her outstanding performances in the movie. And, honestly, how could one not love to have a sister like, Mambo !! This movie is clearly one monumental evidence that Michelle’s gifts in acting have already crafted her into league of her own as an actor (no wonder she keeps saying that she prefers working behind the scenes. “There is nothing left in acting for you to challenge izzit ??”). In my opinion, she is unquestionably adept to play any character in any movie genre she chooses to, effortlessly. Because when one casts Michelle Chong in a movie, one can be at least 200% sure that she is at least 300% engaged in the role, from beginning to the end, spiritually and professionally.
The movie would be lack-lustre however, without other judiciously selected cast members. Worth an honorable mention would be none other than the versatile, Audrey Luo. Even though Audrey’s age may be a little far-fetched for her role as mom, she did nothing less than outstanding work in playing the character. Audrey was so darn good in the movie that one could easily be misled to feeling dazed and confused when seeing her “play” her real self in real life. Apart from being totally successful in playing a mother whom one loves to hate but yet adores with a passion, Audrey really is, one hell of an actor who is made to grace the performing stage.
The movie would not have been more complete without Moses Lim, not to mention that its been a long while since we all saw Moses in action. He plays a father of four daughters and whose four decade long career is in the wane yet never lose himself in despair. Ultimately, it is for the love of cinema and having a wonderful family that Moses could finally and proudly pronounce: I lived, I loved, I Mattered.
One of the climatic scenes of the movie has got to be the unexpected appearance of Grace Chang (Gelan), presenting a hearty congratulatory message to Cathay Organization for its 80th Anniversary. Grace Chang, now in her 80s, was one of the original movie Queens of the 1950s-60s era, whose credits included The Wild Wild Rose (in which she performed the golden mandarin oldie, Carmen), Mambo Girl and Air Hostess (filmed partly in pre-independent Singapore). But, you won’t see Grace doing her captivating cha-cha dance. Instead, you shall have our very own, Michelle Chong, together with the entire cast, dancing to Ja-Jambo for you. How about that !
So, here you have, Our Sister Mambo. Grab tickets today … sit back … enjoy !! : )
Zachary*
* I am an independent movie reviewer with no association with the production or any of the participating members of Our Sister Mambo.