Film Review: ‘Big Day’ directed by Chiang Chung-Chieh
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
“Big Day,” a short film directed by Chiang Chung-Chieh, embarks on a poignant exploration of life’s complexities, framed within the allegories of marriage and separation as metaphors for existence and mortality. The narrative revolves around the dissolution of a middle-aged couple’s relationship, employing symbolic elements to underscore the fleeting nature of time and the potential loss of cherished moments due to human fallibility.
The film commences with a visual metaphor, a serene street scene symbolizing life’s passage, yet suffers from an initial script weakness by relying heavily on direct dialogue for character exposition rather than immersive actions, resulting in a certain emotional detachment for the audience.
The characters, Fang Qiu-xia and Wang Wen-lang, engage in a discussion about revealing truth to their children, revealing contrasting perspectives: the man’s judgmental nature toward their offspring and the woman’s desire for understanding and empathy. This sets a tense atmosphere, hinting at underlying complexities within their relationship.
Throughout the film, the couple’s physical distance during their walks becomes a poignant allegory for their emotional disconnect. The wife’s visit to the Mazu temple, a symbol of tradition and past commitments, prompts a calmer demeanor, leading to a conversation about their shared history and pivotal moments, particularly the proposal. This scene effectively emphasizes their deep-rooted beliefs and cultural attachments.
However, the film’s pivotal moments, aiming to evoke emotional resonance, often feel forced and lacking in subtlety. Scenes depicting the couple’s divorce process juxtaposed with another couple’s impending marriage at the same location detract from the narrative’s essence, diluting its impact and depth.
The screenplay’s reliance on direct dialogues to convey character backgrounds and significant events undermines the potential for nuanced storytelling through visual cues and actions, diminishing the audience’s immersive experience.
Despite its earnest intentions to deliver a profound message about life’s transient nature and the importance of cherishing moments, “Big Day” falls short due to scripting weaknesses. The 23-minute runtime could have been streamlined for a more impactful narrative.
Chiang Chung-Chieh’s direction showcases glimpses of poignant storytelling and thematic depth, but the film ultimately struggles to fully engage and resonate emotionally due to its reliance on overt exposition and a lack of subtlety in conveying its central themes.
