Not One Less Review

A little different then all the other Epics by Zhan Yimou Not One Less is still just as wonderful. The main difference with this film from the others is the setting; it is more of a modern day then his other films. That does not mean his style has changed and the feel of the film. This film covers a very important issue in modern day China that is sometimes forgotten.

Teacher Gao of Shuixian village has to leave for a month to take care of his sickly mother. The mayor finds a substitute for teacher Gao, unfortunately she does not meet the requirements for being a sub, because she is only thirteen and has not even been to high school. Sadly she is the only person that they can find to teach at the school because not every one is educated, or they are just too busy to go to such a small remote village. So Wei is stuck with the overwhelming job of teaching these kids for an entire month.

Wei is forced to grow up, and get rid of her shy and unconfident nature when one of her students goes missing. The trouble maker Zhang Huike’s mother is ill and his father is dead. This leaves him to try and make money to pay for his family’s debts at the age of 11. He goes to the city to work to try and make some money to help pay his mom’s debt. After about a day or two there he gets lost and starts to wonder and he has to start begging for food. After hearing that Zhang Huike has left school to go to the city Wei toughens up. She starts to demand more respect from the kids and starts to teach them. Wei and the kids go work at a brick factory to try and make money so that Wei can go to the City to find Zhang Huike. She teaches the kids how to do math by adding up how much money they have and how much they need to buy a bus ticket. After another three days she finally goes to the city to find Zhang Huike.

Zhang Huike and Wei both go through hard time while they are there but neither one of them complain or ever give up hope. For three days Wei wondered the city looking for Zhang Huike and; begging for food walking for miles and sleeping on the street, she never gave up hope. Zhang Huike in the city even longer the Wei was on his own also begging for food and sleeping on the street never stopped looking for a way to help his family and for a way back home. These two did some thing no American child of that age could do. They showed great determination and maturity while going through these hardships.

At the end Wei is helped by a TV station manger that helps find Zhang Huike. They are brought back to the village of Shuixian by the new agency. Thanks to the agency many donations were given to the village to help pay for school supplies and a whole new school.

Wei came back to the village a different person. She had more confidence in her self although still a little shy they village gave her the respect and treatment she deserved. Zhang Huike was also able to pay his family debts thanks to donations.

Zhang Yimou’s film addressed two major issues in China. The poverty level in the countryside and the poor education also in the county. The schools don’t even have enough money to buy an adequate amount of chalk to write on the boards. It is very clear how much help the village needed, when even the Mayor dose not have any money.

In conclusion this movie is absolutely wonderful. The Characters were all well done she cinematography was very nice; the scenery was a treat for the eyes. It also brings up very important issues that are over looked sometimes and does not undermine any one. This movie is well worth the watch