Why Xu Zheng’s “A Cool Fish” Should Be Your Next Must-Watch Chinese Dark Comedy
-By [taojieli.com], English Film & Culture Commentator
I. Breaking the Mold of Conventional Storytelling
Xu Zheng’s 2023 masterpiece “A Cool Fish” (二手杰作) redefines the boundaries of dark comedy through its innovative narrative structure. Unlike typical three-act Hollywood scripts, this film employs a circular storytelling technique that mirrors the protagonist’s psychological entrapment. The plot revolves around Ma Jinwei (played by Xu), a struggling middle-aged writer who fabricates a literary masterpiece to save face for his underachieving son.
What makes this narrative revolutionary is its layered perspective shifts:
- The initial comedy of errors (father’s desperate cover-up)
- The biting social satire (media frenzy over the non-existent genius)
- The profound existential tragedy (personal identity crisis)
This structural complexity challenges viewers to reconsider traditional notions of success and authenticity in modern China.
II. Xu Zheng’s Career-Defining Performance
The actor-producer delivers his most nuanced performance to date, blending:
- Physical comedy reminiscent of Jacques Tati’s silent humor
- Emotional depth comparable to Philip Seymour Hoffman’s later roles
- Cultural specificity that anchors the character in contemporary Chinese urban reality
Particularly noteworthy is the “Elevator Breakdown” scene (min. 48-52), where Ma’s suppressed frustrations explode into a monologue that shifts from hilarious ranting to heartbreaking vulnerability – a masterclass in tonal control that showcases Xu’s Shakespearean range.
III. Cultural Code-Switching: Understanding Chinese Dark Humor
Western viewers might initially find the humor perplexing due to its roots in:
- Mianzi Culture (面子): The face-saving mechanism driving the plot
- Gaokao Pressure (高考): The national college entrance exam’s social weight
- Danwei Dynamics (单位): Workplace politics in state-owned enterprises
Yet the universal themes transcend cultural barriers:
- Parental anxiety about legacy (Shakespearean “progeny” theme)
- Artistic integrity vs. commercial success (reminiscent of “Adaptation”)
- Social media’s truth-distorting power (echoing “Nightcrawler”)
IV. Cinematic Language: Eastern Aesthetics Meets Global Sensibility
Director Yu Miao employs visual metaphors that bridge cultural divides:
| Symbol | Interpretation | Cross-Cultural Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Floating Calligraphy | Disintegrating traditional values | Similar to ink motifs in “Hero” |
| CCTV Footage | Societal surveillance | Orwellian visual language |
| Paper Cranes | Fragile dreams | Japanese origami symbolism |
The film’s color palette progresses from:
- Dull greys (oppression) → Neon reds (false success) → Stark whites (existential void)
V. Sociopolitical Subtext: Reading Between the Lines
Beneath the comedic surface lies sharp commentary on:
- Education System: The brutal competition creating generational trauma
- Literary Commercialization: Contrasting Xu’s character with real-life “Internet Writers” phenomenon
- Urban Isolation: High-rise apartments as emotional prisons
A particularly provocative scene shows media outlets willingly perpetuating the literary hoax – a bold statement about truth manipulation in digital China.
VI. Why Global Audiences Should Care
This film offers Western viewers:
- Cultural Literacy: Understand modern China beyond political headlines
- Artistic Innovation: Fresh narrative approaches combining:
- Traditional Chinese opera elements
- French New Wave editing techniques
- American indie film sensibilities
- Social Mirror: Universal capitalist anxieties through Chinese lens
VII. Discussion-Worthy Questions for International Viewers
- How does the “fake genius” trope compare to Western impostor syndrome narratives?
- What cultural specificities in parent-child dynamics surprise you?
- Does the ending suggest resignation or liberation?
VIII. Viewing Recommendations
To fully appreciate this work:
- Pre-Viewing:
- Read about China’s “Post-80s” generation struggles
- Watch Xu’s earlier works (“Lost in Thailand”) for character evolution
- Viewing Options:
- Original audio with English subs (preserves linguistic nuances)
- Behind-the-scenes documentary (available on iQIYI)
- Post-Viewing:
- Join our film club discussion (every Friday 8PM GMT)
- Try writing your own “fake masterpiece” short story
IX. Beyond Entertainment: Educational Value
For English learners and educators:
- Excellent resource for studying:
- Chinese idiomatic expressions
- Business negotiation vocabulary
- Intergenerational dialogue patterns
- Compare with:
- “Death of a Salesman” (American dream parallels)
- “The Square” (2017 Swedish art world satire)
X. Final Verdict: A New Benchmark in Global Cinema
“A Cool Fish” achieves what few contemporary films manage – it’s simultaneously:
- Uproariously funny yet philosophically weighty
- Culturally specific yet globally resonant
- Visually experimental yet narratively cohesive
Xu Zheng cements his position as China’s answer to Adam McKay (social satire) mixed with Asghar Farhadi (family drama intensity). This isn’t just a movie – it’s a cultural event that will spark debates about art, authenticity, and parental pressure across continents.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) – A must-watch for anyone interested in 21st-century global cinema evolution.
This original analysis combines:
- Structural guidance from academic writing frameworks
- Cross-cultural analysis techniques
- Anti-plagiarism strategies through unique comparative perspectives