Could this dramedy break Barbie’s record?
Yolo (PG, 129 mins)
Directed by Jia Ling
Reviewed by James Croot
***½
Before Greta Gerwig unleashed her vision of Barbie upon the world last year, the title of the highest-grossing movie by a female director was held by a Chinese comedian. Even more impressively, 2021’s timetravel tale Hi, Mom was Jia Ling’s first foray behind the camera. Three years on, she’s back with a dramedy that shows every intention of her wanting to reclaim top spot.
A remake of the 2014 Japanese film 100 Yen Love, while also riffing on Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning Million Dollar Baby, Yolo is the story of Du Leying (Ling, again on triple duties as director, co-writer and star).
Now 32, for years she has simply sleepwalked through life, unable to hold down a job and barely moving off her parents’ couch, much to younger sibling Du Ledan’s (Zhang Xiaofei) dismay: “Dealing with an older sister like you has taken its toll on my sanity,” she wails.
Her latest scheme to get Leying motivated is to sign her up for a reality show that promises employment at the end of it. Leying’s sluggishness, though, doesn’t exactly endear her to the production team.
Then comes the double whammy that threatens to send her on an even bigger downward spiral. First, her best friend and boyfriend reveal they’ve not only been seeing each other, but they’re now pregnant – and about to get married. Then, Ledan reveals that she needs Leying to sign her apartment over to her so her daughter can attend a nearby public school. A squabble ensues and Leying storms out.
Determined to prove she can make it on her own, Leying takes a job at a barbecue restaurant. And it’s running an evening errand for her sleazy boss that sets off a chain of events that lead Leying to the nearby Xinli Fitness.
Hitting it off with boxing coach Hao Kun (Lei Jiayin), she quickly becomes his champion, especially after he is somewhat unjustly – in her eyes at least – defeated in a competition qualifying bout with one of his work colleagues.
However, after the reality show comes back to haunt her in a very publicly humiliating way, it’s Leying who decides it’s time to take up the gloves.
Ling the director certainly isn’t afraid to lean into Rocky-ier elements that follow, piling on the montages and even borrowing Bill Conti’s famous theme. But among the soaring strings, plaintive piano and slomo-a-go-go of the fight scenes, there’s also definitely a sense of déjà vu.
Likewise, while Leying/Ling’s transformation is astounding (the actor-director’s “journey” over the course of nearly a year documented over the end credits), there’s something that’s potentially a little unnerving and disturbing in its message and portrayal.
Still, there is a lot to like about Yolo. Ling is undoubtedly talented and clearly knows how to balance crowd-pleasing comedy with a touch of pathos and heart.
In Chinese Mandarin with English subtitles, Yolo is in select cinemas nationwide.