User reviews

'Little Big Master' is the kind of movie that you'll probably feel bad for disliking even if it were terrible, but thankfully it never puts its audience in that position. A fact-based portrait of a former headmistress from an elite kindergarten who takes up the same role for a meagre payout at a ramshackle village school with just five children in its enrolment, it makes no attempt to conceal the fact that it intends to tug at your heartstrings – but by staying true to its subject as well as that of the real-life characters it aims to portray, there is absolutely no need for anyone to find an excuse to love it.

Playing the titular role of Madam Lilian Lui Wai-hung is Miriam Yeung, who gives one of her most down-to-earth and honest performances ever. That is evident right from the get-go, where in the opening scenes, Yeung effortlessly establishes her character as a passionate educator who resigns after the board of the prestigious pre-school she is at disagrees with her dressing down of a parent obsessed with grades. A few months of doing nothing in particular later, Hung chances across a news report on the predicament facing Yuen Tin Kindergarten, which is facing imminent closure by the village council at the end of its current school term if its numbers fall below the critical minimum of five when one of its students graduates.

After making a trip to visit the requisitely – and this in case, genuinely – adorable kids, Hung agrees to accept a HK$4,500 salary for being the school's headmistress cum janitor cum groundskeeper. The local road sweeper makes it a point every day to say loudly how futile her efforts are. Ditto the rest of the villagers, some of whom have begun accepting bets based on how long they think she will last. And yet Hung doesn't waver in her belief that each child deserves a good education, so she takes it upon herself to ensure not just that the grounds and the classrooms are clean and conducive but also that every one of her students shows up daily for lessons.

Tempting though it may be to O.D. his audience with scenes of Hung and her irresistibly and irrepressibly cute quintet of muppets, director Adrian Kwan doesn't sugar-coat the realities which his story derives from. Indeed, Kwan and his co-writer Hannah Cheung take pains to highlight the working-class backgrounds of each of the tots – Siu- suet (Ho Yuen-ying)'s father, played by veteran actor Richard Ng, is a single parent working as a scrap metal collector who is lucky to scrape enough each day to put food on the table for that day itself; Ka-ka (Fu Shun-ying) lost both her parents to a car accident one stormy day and is now cared for by her aunt; Chu- chu (Keira Wang) is afraid to come to school on days when her disabled dad (Philip Keung) loses his temper at scheming land developers harassing him to sign his current house away; and sisters Kitty Fathima (Zaha Fathima) and Jennie (Nayab Khan) have to help their mother in the kitchen where their father works too. As each child takes turns to skip school, Hung pays them a house visit to convince their parents of the importance of a proper education.

There is an important lesson here about the impact that a good educator can make, and Kwan emphasises that point by contrasting Hung's attitude with that of her former CEO's (Sammy Leung), whose chief aim is to capitalise on a pressure-cooker system to earn money from 'kiasu' parents. But Kwan is also careful not to sanctify his subject, hence the attention on developing a subplot related to Hung's marriage with designer Tung (Louis Koo) – though she promises initially that they would go on a tour around the world after his contract ends, she fails to tell him when she makes up her mind to stay on teaching at the kindergarten by organising an enrolment drive to keep the numbers going. Yeung's scenes with Koo add a refreshing dimension to her story, depicting a touching example of an ideal marriage built on trust, encouragement and mutual support.

That Yeung manages a modest chemistry with Koo should come as no surprise, since it is just months before that the pair were lovers in 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2'. What is quite amazing is the genuine rapport that Yeung shares with her much, much younger co- stars. Their casting from amongst 400 hopefuls who auditioned is spot-on; in particular, the emotional finale set on the very last day of the school term demonstrates how natural the kids are, and we guarantee that only a heartless monster will not be moved eventually. That credit is also Kwan's as well as his producer Benny Chan's (yes, the Benny Chan of 'The White Storm' and 'Shaolin'), who manage to coax such unaffected and even infectious performances from their first-time actresses.

Sure there are deliberate heart-rending moments, but by telling her story as it is and never being emotionally manipulative about it, Kwan – dubbed the 'Gospel Director' for his feel-good Christian films 'Sometimes, Miracles Do Happen', 'Life is a Miracle' and 'If U Care ...' – does a fittingly elegant tribute to his film's real-life hero. There is no place for cynicism or for that matter melodrama here; rather, this social-based drama that illuminates a cause worth fighting for is moving, affecting and inspirational in its own right. It's a little story of one teacher and five kids all right, but a big one about change, conviction, and making a positive difference.

I absolutely hate the movie because my wife and I were a fricking mess throughout the film. A couple of weeks ago we saw the trailer and in the midst of it we practically turned towards each other simultaneously and said in unison "Sure cry one. We must see."

This is a human interest story based on a true story. A principal of a prestigious school for little tots played by Miriam Yeung, steps down feeling very disillusioned by what education is really about. Later, while filling her void with activities, she sees a news on the television that would change her life. A kindergarten with only five students in Yuen Long will be forced to close down and they are hiring a principal-teacher-janitor. The salary is stated as HK$4500 (S$793) a month, not negotiable.

Miriam Yeung is a piece of fantastic casting. There is something about her that is so natural and down to earth. Her chemistry with her tots is spot on and believable. Maybe it is the fact that she has become a recent mother which I feel has improved her acting. Or it may be something about a person with a singular goal in life (which is not prestige or money) that makes her unfolding story so inspiring. Being a teacher myself, I really love how she teaches her underlings. She doesn't pay lip service and she never shies her kids from brutal truths. She uses action, not mere words to show her love for the kids and in so doing lay the blueprint for how they would want to live their lives. Her methods are not earth-shattering, awe-inspiring or even Hollywood-type cinematic envelope pushers but I come away feeling completely inspired. Allow me to share an example. While doing home visits she realizes the root of the kids' problems lie in their communication with their parents, so she devises a simple homework for the children - to find out from their parents what is their dream. That sequence is one of light-hearted moments and it completely made us a mess of emotions.

Miriam Yeung's natural performance is buoyed by other good performances by veterans like Richard Ng, Fung Shui-Fan and Philip Keung. Louis Koo, definitely HK's busiest actor, plays Yeung's supportive hubby. But his parallel story to Yeung's suffers from under- development.

Occasionally I love human interest movies like these. I didn't find it overtly manipulative and there are some subtle but creative scenes. The story is warm and inspiring and prior before watching, I already know where all the emotional traps are. But the really good ones know how to make you want to drop into those emo holes willingly. This one did that for us. It is also testament to a good film that even on the next day while driving my wife to work we were still talking about scenes from the movie, like what's the purpose of showing Jia Jia's dirty shoes. Hang back in the cinema when the credits run and you can see the actual kind visage of the principal and her five blessed kids.

Once I was in love with the Hong Kong films, it is my favourite Asian film industry after the Japanese, but I haven't seen any recently. Somewhere on the web I caught this film poster and I followed it to the movie database. After learnt about it I have had the urge to watch it. The most of the Louis Koo's films I saw were either action or thriller, and it is neither, as well as he's in a small role, a supporting one.

It was based on the true story that centres a kindergarten in the rural Hong Kong. The school with a long history is now facing a threat of close down due to just five students with no teachers. All the kids hail from the poor families. After knowing this from the television a former elite headmistress Lui, who is now recovering from the surgery decides to put a hold on world tour with her hubby to take the position that offers a very low pay. So the remaining is the story that tells her effort to make the school to stand on its own, but whether it happen or not is what brings the end.

I did not know it was a melodrama, but it was not that kind of deep sentimental film that makes you weep like your dog just died. The narration was so smooth, from the introduction of the main characters to the development to the conclusion. From all, the surprise came from the children's performances. What, they all definitely are under five years, but stunning display. And their lines were like the matured adults, which is what kind of defines it a movie, otherwise no doubt that its an inspiring drama.

"I afraid they'd fight when I'm gone. They may kill each other and I won't see them again. Then I'll be all alone. I'll miss them."

It was not all about the school, but about the personal lives as well those who comes in the main narration. While the Lui's attempt to provide everything in her capacity, reveals by focusing why those five kids' family is unable to send to another kindergarten. Like a movie with the multiple layers, but only after the first half where it takes the stretch.

It is a good family movie, well received by the audience as well as by the critics and saw a domestic box office success. The highest grossed local movie in that year. Definitely it won't give you the impression of the freshness in the concept. You might have seen the similar flicks in other languages, but the point is to publicise the event that occurred on the other continent with the different characters and the different kind of struggle with the backdrop of the different society and its culture.

If it was not a biography, then I don't know how much the original story was altered for cinematic version. All the three acts' were in the perfect order. I love tearjerker films, but sadly I did not wet my eyes for this and I won't expect the same from you. A movie to feel its depth through your heart. So I had a good time with it, I began my 2016 with this one and I hope you too get what you're looking for from this.

7.5/10

It is rare these days to find a movie that really grabs my attention, this movie did it! From the start to the end, it kept my on my feet and it actually made me sob. One of the best movies I have seen, highly recommending it to all people of all ages. A true inspiration. Love movies that leave you feeling like this. I am a grown 34 year old man and I have seen so many movies in my life. I usually have a good judgment and figure out how movies will turn out especially towards the end. But not this movie! I wanted to see every scene. I felt like I was a child again. Curious about stories and what was going to happen. One of my favorite films ever. We need to make more movies like this. God bless all the people that made this happen and thank you for sharing it to the world.

A 'tear gas' movie as local has it described.

Most touching - very basic, human and genuine.

No fancy dressing. Have not seen a true story turned into a 2-hour film that touch all that watch it. It provides an opportunity for all to let go the emotion in a cinema - much better than an expensive medical therapy.

Superb acting on the parts of the 5 child actresses, especially Kai Kai.Temporarily keep us all away from this troubling world in this brief 2-hour.

Many congratulations to all in the making of this film. All have shown great passion and good heart.

Immense love. Hats off to Ms Lui, the real headmistress; she has a big heart. Wish you well with her own Thyroid treatment

Must see.

This movie really pull on your heartstrings. All the different relationships from parents to kids, husband to wife and headmistress to the kids is really genuine and warm. All the actors excel in this movie especially the little girls. I bought this movie because I was a Louis Koo fanboi, and I got more than I bargain for. A real tearjerker I recommend this movie to all species fo all ages.

You can't just help from crying from start to end

First of all. I thank those people who worked very hard, to make this heartbreaking movie possible. Especially the kids. Adrian Kwan for directing and writing this movie, along with the principal writer (Hanna Cheung).

The movie teaches you to do good to others without expecting anything in return. Because everyone of us is entitled for happiness and deserved to be loved. No matter how deprived they are in material wealth.

Teaching children to do good. Can inspire them to be helpful to others. So that they can keep holding and realizing their long dreams. Making this world the best place to live for our children. And the children of their children.

Please make a part 2 of this Little Big Master. 🙏

A very touching movie, all the act, chemistry are perfect. Perfect casting, a good story as well. A movie that show you a people with passion that make you to rethink about your life.

Based on a true story, Yang acts as a kindergarten of a nearly bankrupt school. She tries her best to save the school and is successful to protect it from closing down. The small child actors are cute and lovely. Yang's acting is not very impressive, but gets a passing rate. We need more of this positive story to boost the spirit of our society. Hope more of this type of plots are coming.