ReviewDear You movie review: nostalgic Teochew family drama a surprise box office hit in China
Lan Hongchun’s film on love, loyalty and immigrant struggles is a sensation in China, with lead Li Sitong giving a career-making performance
3.5/5 stars
Dear You follows Hiau-ui (Zheng Runqi), a cash-strapped young Teochew man, as he heads to Thailand in search of his estranged grandfather, Ten Baksheng, who has supposedly been living and thriving there for the last 50 years.
Forced to abandon his wife, Sok-jiu (played at a young age by Wang Xiaohui), and their three young children to avoid being drafted by the Kuomintang during China’s civil war, Baksheng has not returned home since. However, he sent letters and money back home for years – until he appeared to remarry and sever all ties.
As Sok-jiu (Wu Shaoqing) celebrates her 88th birthday, her grandson sets out to track down Baksheng and demand a share of his wealth. Upon arrival in Bangkok, however, Hiau-ui learns that his grandfather has been dead for decades.