881

Watched 881 with Jiekai after work on Tuesday at Lido. 881 is a flashy, humourous and poignant film by local filmmaker Royston Tan. 881 is about two young woman who aim to make it big in the getai scene. They are the Papaya Girls aka 881 and they seek the Getai Goddess for better voices and popularity. The Durian Girls stand in their way and only one champion duo will emerge.

881 is actually a comedy, musical and drama rolled into one. The aunty or mother of Guan Yin is incredibly funny and natural in her acting as well. She has impeccable comic timing and her role in the movie provides pure entertainment. Mindee Ong is charismatic as one half of the Papaya Girls and her screen presence is definitely better compared to Yeo Yann Yann. May and Choy are riotous as the Durian Girls and we can't help but laugh out loud when they talk in their broken Chinese.

However, the climatic fight between the Durian Girls and Papaya Girls is disappointing and flat. The comedy in the show rocks, but i can't say that i love the musical aspect of the show. Although the sets and costumes are flamboyant and they set the standard for future local musicals, they can be more glitzy, flashy, and energetic. The side story of Big Papaya and her resenting mother does not evoke any emotions in me at all.

Still, this movie is worthy to be seen for its pure conviction in introducing getai once again and celebrating Singapore's little piece of history. The hospital sequence is one of the most memorable scenes in the movie and it is pensive and incredibly touching. "Techno" rulez....

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