In 2024, Hu Mei’s film “The Dream of Red Mansions”experienced major setbacks in terms of box office earnings and public reception. One of the main controversies surrounding the film was the portrayal of the female lead, Lin Daiyu, by Zhang Miao-di. Many viewers expressed their dissatisfaction with her appearance, believing that she was not suitable for the role. In response to the criticism, director Hu Mei released a statement acknowledging the feedback and also revealed that she had evidence of someone using AI-generated data to post negative reviews about the film. She stated that she has entrusted this evidence to her lawyer.
Despite the belief that social media reviews play a major role in determining a film’s success, the film industry has its own set of standards for evaluation such as production quality, marketing tactics, and audience preferences. A film’s performance at the box office is influenced by a multitude of intricate factors, some of which are beyond the control of filmmakers. This is especially true for the adaptation of “The Dream of Red Mansions,”a renowned literary masterpiece known for its intricate plot and diverse characters, which presents a significant challenge for any filmmaker.
Despite receiving negative reviews, the 2024 adaptation of “The Dream of Red Mansions”unintentionally revived interest in the classic 1987 version. Comparisons were bound to be made, as the older version had set a high standard. Every aspect, from the acting and appearance to even the tiniest details, was closely examined. As a result, subsequent adaptations faced a challenge of living up to the high expectations set by their predecessor.
The 1987 adaptation of “The Dream of Red Mansions” was once hailed as a remarkable achievement, but perceptions of beauty and art change with time. Even Chen Xiaoxu, who was seen as an icon of her time, received a mix of reviews. This serves as a reminder that no work can be deemed flawless and there will always be varying viewpoints.
Despite the challenges, remaking classic works allows filmmakers to demonstrate their talent and individual perspectives. Hu Mei and Li Shaohong serve as excellent examples of this. While their efforts may not have fully met expectations, their bravery in taking on a classic deserves acknowledgement. It is only by daring to push ourselves that we can uncover our own and art’s hidden potential.
Additionally, successfully adapting a classic work requires both courage and a thorough comprehension of it. It is crucial to analyze the factors that led to its status as a classic and to understand its core elements. The 1987 adaptation of “The Dream of Red Mansions”serves as a perfect illustration of this. The team behind the production devoted considerable time and effort to researching and faithfully capturing the essence of the original work.
Taking on the task of adapting “The Dream of Red Mansions” is a formidable undertaking for any director, including the highly skilled Hu Mei. The expectation from devoted fans of the original novel is immense. Nevertheless, the primary cause for the 2024 adaptation’s failure can be attributed to its departure from the core elements of the source material, spanning from character development to plot progression.
Despite the potential of the young cast, their lack of experience was a contributing factor to the mixed reviews received by the film. When tasked with portraying iconic roles, comparisons with previous actors are inevitable. Successfully embodying the depth and psychological complexity of characters such as Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu requires extensive acting skills and experience. Unfortunately, the 2024 adaptation’s young cast was unable to capture the essence of these characters, resulting in a diminished emotional impact on the audience.
Despite being adapted in 2024, the plot of the story also faces criticism for its lack of coherence. Viewers have commented on the shallow and illogical character relationships, causing them to feel like they were watching a completely different narrative rather than the beloved “The Dream of Red Mansions”. This has raised concerns about the level of reverence the filmmakers have for the original work.
Despite an investment of 200 million RMB, the film’s performance fell short, bringing in only 4.5 million RMB. This lack of success raises concerns about the film’s production quality. Despite its outward appearance, the film was poorly managed, with a heavy emphasis on marketing rather than preserving its core value.
The failure of the 2024 adaptation of “The Dream of Red Mansions”serves as a cautionary tale for adaptations. It highlights the audience’s expectation for filmmakers to treat classic literary works with reverence and to avoid producing subpar imitations. However, successful Chinese films this summer, such as “Successor”, have shown that with a well-written script, talented actors, and careful attention to detail, filmmakers can create works that satisfy audiences while maintaining the integrity of the source material. Despite this, the failure of “The Dream of Red Mansions”serves as a reminder for filmmakers to invest intellectual effort and passion into each project, as it is crucial in creating a successful adaptation.
Despite its failure, “The Dream of Red Mansions”serves as a valuable reminder that the success of an adaptation is not solely determined by its outward appearance, but rather by the level of reverence and thorough examination of the original material. The film industry requires dedicated and skilled filmmakers who can skillfully merge innovation with reverence in order to bridge the gap between timeless works and modern audiences.
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