Bao Ni Ping An, internationally known as Post Truth, is a quirky comedy drama that walks off the beaten path and deserves more attention. This Chinese production criticizes the use of social media by millennials and how people easily believe the most absurd rumours. The story revolves around Wei Ping An, an adult who has gone through a divorce and spent time in prison, who makes a desperate effort to look and behave as if he were at least ten years younger than he actually is. His carefree attitude takes a drastic change when he discovers that the grave of one of his former clients who offered her fortune for a good cause is going to change place. The reason behind this questionable decision is that the sister of the man buried next to the deceased has learnt that the deceased lady was apparently a prostitute. Wei Ping An is offended by those accusations and decides to investigate where this rumour comes from. He is given a few days to set things straight as his quest takes him all around the country. However, his challenges don't stop there as his daughter is going through a phase of radical bullying at school and needs her father's support from a distance despite her mother's disapproval.
This movie convinces on quite a few levels. First and foremost, its creative, dynamic and quirky genre mixture keeps thing entertaining from start to finish. This film mixes slapstick humour with family drama and intense action sequences including brawls, chases and even creative thefts.
Up next, the main character is colourful, dynamic and certainly unique. His flaws and strength are both portrayed very efficiently. His bad habits and ambitious changes help the story progress steadily. Actor Dong Chengpeng does an excellent job at showing the protagonist's wild image and his more intimate side as well.
The story itself certainly is on the pulse of time without pointing fingers or including unnecessary propaganda like many other contemporary movies from the People's Republic of China. This approach gives the film a light-hearted flair without drifting away into shallow territories. Said structure also gives the movie the potential to be appreciated by crowds from all around the world. The plot is not necessarily tense but it's difficult to predict and will therefore motivate audiences to stay focused until the very end.
As you can read, Bao Ni Ping An, also known as Post Truth, is a quirky comedy drama on the pulse of time that convinces with an experimental genre mixture, great protagonist and imaginative plot. The movie only has a few minor lengths and secondary flaws such as a few less profound side characters but goes down as a creative, entertaining and playful experience that deserves international attention and acclaim.
