Is Ninth Happiness Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1998)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of Ninth Happiness (1998), audiences are invited back into the world of Music, Comedy. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Choi Hung village is full of innocents: people sing and work. The town beauty, Chi Wan, sees a stranger in the woods and falls in love, believing he's a fairy. He pursues her, keeping his real name secret, seeking advice from her sister, Heung, who suggests he buy Chi Wan a fan. Chi Wan and Heung's boyfriend, Dup, think the stranger and Heung are romantically involved, so mistaken jealousies erupt. Also new in town are two brothers, the new town official and his coarse enforcer; they can't believe there's no graft and corruption to profit from, so they try to establish a whorehouse. They also pursue Chi Wan. Can it all be sorted out? Will innocence prevail? And who is this stranger?"

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Leslie Cheung does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Music. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Ninth Happiness worth your time? If you appreciate Music, Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Ninth Happiness is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 86 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.