Probably one of the most difficult genres to transcend borders is comedy. After all, so much is done merely with physical humor in the way we speak or act, let alone just the language we speak in. Then there are cultural trends and nuances that even though they kill in our own country would fly over the heads of viewers in another. So consider it pure joy when along comes a film from mainland China that transcends borders and thoroughly entertains and gets big laughs from a western audience.
The film opens with Geng Hao at the cusp of winning a bicycling road race. At first he thinks he wins. Turns out he doesn't. Not all is lost though as the owner of a energy drink company, Ling Fala, offers Geng a spokesperson contract. Geng mugs in front of a video camera, takes a swig of this drink, and then is promptly whisked off for his urine test. Epic fail. Geng is banned from cycling for life and his coach is so overwhelmed by by these events he has a stroke. We come back a couple years later and Geng is renting out his medal to businesses to use for promotional purposes. He is caring for his wheelchair stricken coach and drives a frozen fish delivery truck. One day they see a commercial on television with the same man who gave Gene that energy drink those couple years ago shilling his newest drink. Geng's coach rages himself into a heart attack now Geng must take care of the funeral preparations. But where to get the money to pay for it? Idea. Blackmail this energy drink maker into giving him enough money to have a really nice funeral. Thus, we begin this madcap adventure, this comedy caper, this comedy of errors called Crazy Racer.
Never fear. All that I have revealed above happens within minutes of the film's start. That, is just the set up. From then on writer/director Ning Hao, who made waves with his films Crazy Stone and Mongolian Ping Pong, intricately weaves together numerous story lines together, all headed by gloriously colorful characters, into one of the best comedies to come out of China in years. Bumbling and aspiring criminals who cannot quite settle on what type of criminal they actually are, transvestite drug dealers, men in superman suits, triad funerals; it's all there.
It may all sound a little maddening and in excess but Ning manages to pull it all together and stay the course through to its climax, struggling to catch a breath. It reminds me of the intricate madness in Guy Ritchie's first two films and how Lock, Stock and Snatch kept you guessing to the very end. Clearly, we already know the fate of everyone involved we just get to relish the enjoyment of seeing how it happens. Pick your favorites or pick all of them each character or group of characters have enough moments of great comedy written for them by Ning. More than anyone else though he injects enough heart into his central character Geng that you just wish the guy could catch a break. Everyone else is there to help fumble his plans and wishes just enough.
Ning Hao proves that commercial comedy films can work anywhere in the world. And he has written comedy into his film that is accessible enough to an audience outside of Mainland China that there is more than enough for anyone to find enjoyment in his film.
Definitely worth a look.