Is Miser Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2020)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Miser, a standout production of 2020, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Drama, Comedy landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into The four old brothers are all fans of Journey to the West. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Drama, Comedy are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "The four old brothers are all fans of Journey to the West. They usually gag, spit, and abuse each other in a small city. One day, Hao Kunpeng (played by Liu Xiaoling Tong), who sells vegetables for a living, suddenly became rich overnight, changing from 20,000 to 20,000. I don’t worry about depositing the money in the bank and the habit of counting money. I took all the 20 million home and turned over the tricks to count money regularly every day."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The presence of Zhang Jinlai provides a necessary level of professionalism to the production, even when the underlying script struggles to maintain a consistent tone. It is a testament to their skill that they remain the most engaging element of the film.

The direction by Dong Dong is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 100 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Miser truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Drama, Comedy, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 0/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Miser explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2020 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Dong Dong respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Miser is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Zhang Jinlai or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Miser is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.