The Home Song Stories

(spoilers ahead.....)

I've been very busy these last few days. Haha.....busy watching DVDs. Unfortunately, as with my long list of unread books, I have an equally long list of unwatched DVDs. So I told myself, enough is enough. And it really helps when the owners of some of those DVDs have been hinting like mad that they have been 'missing' their property very much and I am so guilty of not returning them quicker than I should. Oops! Anyway......


I watched this fantastic movie called The Home Song Stories on Thursday after putting it off for more than three weeks. When my colleague lent it to me, I saw the cast list and the only name that was familiar was Joan Chen. Frankly, I have never watched any of her movies but have read enough of entertainment magazines to know that she is one of the very few Chinese actresses that have made a name in Hollywood. It is a story about a Shanghainese night club singer who moved to Australia in the 70s with her two children and how she lived her short life, filled with sorrow, distrust and discontentment. And her poor kids!

She was largely dependent on the men in her life and yet unable to sustain any relationship due to the past. Watching her begging and crying each time her 'men' showed signs of leaving her was heart wrenching. It makes you want to shake her and tell her that she ought to stand up for herself and be strong for her two children, a young son and a teenage daughter. Joan Chen was splendid as the struggling mother.

The story was told through the eyes of her son and is based on a a true story. This Australian released movie has won many accolades and awards. If you can get your hands on this movie, I think you, too will enjoy it as much as I have.

Here's the trailer for The Home Song Stories..........




* Update to previous entry - I've a few friends who have since asked me how they were going to 'hug' me or encourage me or just share with me their experiences through their comments if I had deactivated the comments function. Truthfully, I missed those too. So, I am now back to square one. *perplexed at myself*