Buzz
1. Vòng Eo 56
Vòng Eo 56 is a film based on the true story of model Ngọc Trinh's life, sparking debates about the lifestyle of young people, particularly women: Is it possible to change one's life without talent or academic effort, simply by being beautiful, obedient, and finding a wealthy benefactor? The online discussions began here: Are some young people today striving to become like Ngọc Trinh, with wealth and a better life thanks to their beauty and a rich partner?
The character Trinh grew up in poverty, with a sick father who could only make a living as a motorbike taxi driver and lottery ticket seller, while helplessly watching his family struggle. Her mother loved her children but could not bring in enough money to maintain their crumbling home or deal with creditors. The film vividly portrays the harshness of poverty, showing that while being poor is not a crime, the shame of it is devastating. These realistic depictions remind us of the rural areas in the Mekong Delta, where similar situations are common. Despite their dire circumstances, Trinh and her sister avoided the fate of 'marrying a Taiwanese man' thanks to their father's love and determination to protect the family. The film portrays family love, sibling bonds, and community support in a simple yet heartfelt manner.
Besides the rural setting, the film also offers a glimpse into the glamorous yet seductive world of fashion modeling, where some models strive for success through hard work, while others are willing to trade their bodies for a better life.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2016
Cast: Ngọc Trinh, Hồ Vĩnh Khoa, Lương Mạnh Hải, Tú Vi, ...
IMDb Rating: 5.6
2. Con Ma Nhà Họ Vương
Con Ma Nhà Họ Vương follows two intertwined storylines centered around the character Nam. One takes place in Nam's hometown, focusing on his unusually close friendship with Khánh. Nam has secretly loved Khánh for a long time but never confessed. Unfortunately, Khánh is straight and falls in love with Linh. At this time, Nam accidentally injures someone severely and is pursued by the police, forcing him to flee to Ho Chi Minh City, where he struggles to survive in hiding.
At his lowest point, Nam is offered a tempting proposition by a mysterious man named Huy, who promises him 200 million VND if he follows his orders for 20 hours. Feeling he has nothing to lose, Nam agrees and follows Huy. This marks the beginning of the second storyline, where Nam arrives at Huy's mansion and endures disturbing tortures, all while an eerie female ghost appears and disappears mysteriously.
Vũ Ngọc Đãng cleverly creates various tormenting scenarios, keeping both Nam and the audience on edge as they are pushed to their limits. However, these creepy moments may not be enough for hardcore horror fans. The gruesome tortures, mind games, and the ghostly female figure dressed in a long gown, with her face hidden by long hair, are common tropes found in other horror films.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2015
Cast: Lương Mạnh Hải, Hồ Vĩnh Khoa, Tiến Vũ, Minh Hằng, ...
IMDb Rating: 6.3
3. Vừa Đi Vừa Khóc
Vừa Đi Vừa Khóc tells the story of two main characters: Đông Dương, a girl who has been forced to disguise herself as a boy since childhood because her grandmother favored male children, and Hải Minh, the lost son of a scrap dealer named Bà Hoa. As Minh embarks on a journey to find his mother, Dương faces numerous challenges in her attempt to maintain her male persona, and both characters experience various life-altering events, culminating in an uncertain yet hopeful resolution.
Minh Hằng plays Đông Dương, embracing the role of a girl masquerading as a boy. Meanwhile, Lương Mạnh Hải's portrayal of Hải Minh doesn't showcase much new depth in his acting. The male characters Vũ Ngọc Đãng gives Mạnh Hải often share similar looks and performances, leaving the impression that he hasn't fully broken out of his typecast as a charming, wealthy young man. Furthermore, Hải Minh's character feels particularly weak and overly emotional, often seen crying more than any other character throughout the film.
The film's plot follows a familiar fairytale-like trope of a rich, handsome, good-hearted prince and a poor, strong-willed, and determined girl from humble beginnings. Dương is portrayed as a girl with a tough background but an indomitable spirit, while Hải Minh, the rich and kind-hearted boy, is emotionally vulnerable and constantly in tears.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2014
Cast: Minh Hằng, Lương Mạnh Hải, Nhã Phương, Ninh Dương Lan Ngọc, ...
IMDb Rating: 5.6
4. Beauty in Every Inch
Beauty in Every Inch is a Vietnamese romantic comedy-drama directed by Vũ Ngọc Đãng, released during the 2009 Lunar New Year. The film marks the return of Lương Mạnh Hải and Tăng Thanh Hà, who previously garnered attention in the popular TV series Bỗng Dưng Muốn Khóc. The story follows Quang Hy, an amateur photographer determined to become professional by photographing nude women as practice. However, his attempt to photograph the shop owner's daughter leads to his dismissal. Forced to leave Nha Trang, Quang Hy moves to Saigon to start over. There, he meets Ngô Đồng, an aspiring actress relegated to background roles in films. Despite being criticized by directors, she believes in her potential. Quang Hy lies, claiming to be a film director, and promises to teach her acting in exchange for her posing as a nude model for his photoshoot.
The film's most memorable moments revolve around the passionate, sometimes chaotic, kisses shared between the two protagonists. After confessing their love, they engage in an endless series of kisses, in various locations and at any time. However, many viewers felt that these kisses lost their emotional impact, as they were too frequent and lacked depth. Some questioned whether the director ran out of creative ideas to express the characters' emotions.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2009
Cast: Lương Mạnh Hải, Tăng Thanh Hà, ...
IMDb Rating: 5.2
5. The Kiss of Death
The Kiss of Death is a unique blend of comedy, horror, and romance. The film follows the challenging task of the Prince of Death, who must carry out a soul-stealing kiss on a beautiful and tough liquor saleswoman named An. Du, the Prince, has only three days to succeed, or else he will face a horrific curse from the King of Death. However, the naïve Prince is constantly outsmarted and beaten by the fiery An, who forces him to help her escape death time and time again. Throughout their wild escape, An discovers something more precious than her life: love.
As the King of Death and the forces of darkness get involved to end An’s life and save Du from the curse, the story takes an unexpected turn. The film concludes with a surprisingly romantic and emotional ending, as both mortals and deathly beings witness the eternal power of love. Despite its horror elements, the film is filled with humor and romance, leaving the audience with a memorable impression of its charm.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2008
Cast: Johnny Trí Nguyễn, Thanh Hằng, Hoài Linh, ...
IMDb Rating: 6.2
6. The Long-Legged Girls
The Long-Legged Girls tells the story of Thuy, a rural girl who moves to the city to live with her sister, a school teacher. By chance, she meets Hoang, a photographer for a fashion company, and through him, she is introduced to the world of modeling. However, Thuy’s sister disapproves, leading Thuy to leave home and live with two other models in a rented apartment. The film stars Anh Thu as Thuy, a country girl who rises to fame as a model while navigating the numerous pitfalls of the industry. Despite being a professional model, Anh Thu captivates audiences with her blend of innocence and sensuality. In the film, Thuy accepts becoming the mistress of a famous photographer in order to advance her career on the catwalk, with several steamy scenes from Anh Thu as part of the role.
Supermodel Thanh Hang plays a smaller supporting role, but her stunning looks and memorable lines made her one of the most unforgettable performances in the film. The movie also features a lineup of top models from Vietnam during that time, including Tong Bach Thuy, Xuan Lan, Ngoc Nga, Dương Yến Ngọc, and others.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2004
Cast: Minh Anh, Anh Thu, ...
7. The Old Man
The Old Man is the latest film directed by Vũ Ngọc Đãng, which caused a social media sensation upon its release. The story revolves around a poor neighborhood with a group of gossiping friends—Giàu, Sang, Phú, and Quý—but the main focus is on Ba Sang and his stubborn son Quắn. Quắn is a YouTuber who makes money from views on his channel and has a passion for collecting expensive designer items. Living near the Sang family is Cẩm Lệ, the owner of a tailoring shop, who is very close to the family and often helps them.
Things take a dramatic turn when a woman named Trúc Nhàn arrives, claiming to be the biological mother of Bù Tọt, and demands money from Sang. When her request is denied, she publicly reveals that Bù Tọt is Quắn's child. Furious, Quắn confronts Sang for harboring Bù Tọt, feeling that it jeopardized his career. After Sang sells their house, Quắn sells his apartment and brings the money to Cẩm Lệ's house to repay his father, but Sang refuses. Soon after, Sang collapses and is diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure, requiring a transplant. Quắn offers to donate his kidney, but Sang refuses, citing Quắn’s heart condition. Desperate, Quắn seeks help from other family members, but all turn him away. Fortunately, Quý agrees to donate his kidney to save Sang. Before surgery, Sang opens up to Cẩm Lệ, and she agrees to be with him.
As he prepares for his death, Sang orders a coffin and takes a photo for his funeral. Meanwhile, Quắn juggles taking care of Bù Tọt while searching for his father. During a live stream on his YouTube channel, Quắn apologizes to Sang publicly for the first time. Hearing his son's heartfelt apology, Sang is moved and decides to go ahead with the surgery. Unfortunately, the surgery fails, and Sang passes away. However, Quắn learns valuable life lessons and continues to live with Bù Tọt, adjusting to life without his father.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2021
Cast: Trấn Thành, Tuấn Trần, Ngân Chi, NSND Ngọc Giàu, ...
IMDb Rating: 9.2
8. When Your Child is Home
When Your Child is Home is a touching film about the life of a father and son, Quang and Bi, living in a peaceful, humble rural area despite many struggles. One day, due to his addiction to gambling, Quang becomes a fugitive, and the two of them begin a difficult journey of exile. They scavenge for food, fight for a place to sleep under the bridge at night, and endure brutal beatings. But the greatest challenge is when they get separated in a strange, dangerous city full of temptations.
However, the story is not the primary element that makes When Your Child is Home memorable; it is the heartwarming father-son duo portrayed by Lương Mạnh Hải and Phạm Duy Anh. Despite some awkward dialogue, Duy Anh’s portrayal of Cu Bi is endearing—he manages to be both innocent and mischievous, with a deep love for his father. Bi’s emotional moments, from his pouting face to his tears, truly move the audience. As much as viewers sympathize with Bi, they also feel frustrated with his father at times.
While some scenes in the film may seem a bit odd or implausible, director Vũ Ngọc Đãng skillfully delves into the emotional journey of the characters, leaving a lasting impact on viewers.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2017
Cast: Lương Mạnh Hải, La Quốc Hùng, Tú
IMDb Rating: 6.8
9. Hot Boy Nổi Loạn 2
Hot Boy Nổi Loạn 2 picks up the story of Lam, who returns to Saigon after four years of searching for Khôi without success, continuing his life as a street hustler. Here, he reunites with Long, a former prostitute who secretly loved Lam. Thinking Lam had died, Long left the trade but never let go of his unrequited love. Another character, Cuội, is introduced, who secretly loves Long. Lam’s encounters with both Long and Cuội seem to set the stage for a tragic love triangle, but the story takes an unexpected turn. Lam uses Cuội to make Long jealous, resulting in a fight that sends Cuội back to his hometown. Cuội had previously returned to his village after being rejected by Long when he confessed his feelings. The story then follows Lam on his journey, drifting from place to place.
Lam, a character who loves to lecture others on how to live better, still struggles with his own contradictions. The film reveals Lam’s family life—his mother and younger sister live with his stepfather, who frequently beats them. Despite knowing this, Lam chooses to send money home and asks a neighbor to intervene, which seems odd for someone so eager to give life advice.
Overall, Hot Boy Nổi Loạn 2 is filled with plot holes, offering a disjointed series of events involving violence, deception, and shallow love stories, all presented through awkward dialogues.
DETAILS:
Release Year: 2017
Cast: Lương Mạnh Hải, La Quốc Hùng, Trần Huy Anh, ...
IMDb Rating: 5.9
