Lighting Up the Stars

This is a movie that brings a lot of warmth to our hearts and suitable for all ages to watch. Both Zhu Yilong and Yang Enyou gave wonderful acting in this movie. Totally worth watching. There are lots of funny dialogues but at the same time very touching. It's about how two people (an adult and a child) got to know each other by accident but finally became a family by helping each other and being devoted. They have similar personalities in spite of their age differences, and brought a lot of laughters and tears to us. It's the best movie I've watched so far this year, totally recommend it.

A monstrous performance from an unlikely actor, Zhu Yilong who in my knowledge was always seen as a fair faced boy band sort of actor. A tear jerker with just the right amount of punch is often a staple of movies of this sort, but the movie is definitely more than that. Like the title in Chinese suggest, significant events in a lifetime, the movie is able to humanize a lot of these moments into a single storyline, and somehow combining everything to make it feel organic. Marriage, death, parenthood are all themes of this little story about a funeral director whose character development and growth seems both organic and significant.

I don't know much about cinematography in Far East, because I've only seen a handful of movies from there. Being from Europe, I can't really distinct between movies from China, South Korea, or Japan. I think it's in Japanese movies, where men always shout even in normal conversation -at least it sounds so in my ears.. but then, I don't speak Japanese :-)

Lightning up the stars is quite emotional and entertaining movie. Story is simple and realistic, without pretending to be melodramatic. And so is the cast. They are not just "acting".. they are "real" and very good at that -I hope, you understand what I mean.

To keep it short: If you're in the mood for "light drama", watch this movie before Hollywood decides to do a remake (and makes a cr*p out of it).

I wish I was gifted with the ability of writing so I could give full justice to this movie in my review.

Funeral themes are not something I like to think of so I was curious about the Director's approach, specially in China, a country with so much history and traditions. I was happy to find that it was a very human and down to earth tale Director is telling and full of heart.

The relationship between Sange, an ex convict and a homeless little girl feels very organic, the chemistry between them is palpable. The way he becomes a better person after knowing Xiao Wen is a treat to watch.

The relationship between Sange and his father also feels real, showing the lack of communication as the usual problem between fathers and sons.

The setting in Wuhan a city full of life, the dialect, the way the movie is filmed, the acting in general, everything adds to the movie.

An special shout to Zhu Yi Long, the way he transformed into Sange leaves me in awe! No wonder even Chinese audience didn't recognize the actor.

So if you have the time to watch this movie please do it! I'm sure you won't regret it!

This is a story about life and death. It is a story that gently teach people don't be afraid of death. Lighting up the stars allowed people to understand the fundamental of death was about those people who were gone would always be there with you in your life when you look up the sky. Live bravely, and enjoy your life. Everyone dies someday, live your life the best you can. The actor Yilong Zhu played Mo, Sanmei really well, he was like the neighbor we have, who had his own problems to deal with and he remained the sage heart to move on in life.