This likable, unchallenging Chinese sports movie, about a has-been rally driver out to prove he’s still got what it takes after a lengthy ban, is the third film directed by Han Han, the superstar blogger/novelist/rally driver/film-maker once hailed as the voice of a generation of Chinese millennials. In real life, Han Han famously flipped his middle finger at officials on the racetrack. But he must be mellowing – because with this comeback story he keeps his eye firmly on the mainstream, steering steady-as-you-go down the middle of the road.
Comedy actor Shen Teng plays Zhang Chi, an arrogant five-times champ slapped with a five-year ban after a spot of after-hours racing in a multi-storey car park. The film opens with Zhang Chi nearing the end of his ban, flat broke, deserted by fans and sponsors, cooking fried rice on a street food stall. He’s a few pounds heavier but just as cocky. The way he gets his career back in gear unfolds in a more or less predictable manner – making amends with teammates, getting his old car race-worthy and humiliating himself on reality TV in a desperate attempt to raise finances.
A nice touch here is his rival, hotshot new champion Lin Zhengdong (Huang Jingyu), the son of a billionaire property developer, whose family has machine tooled his success, buying in the best team and most expensive cars. Not a stereotypical villain – Lin actually wants to help Zhang Chi get back on the track to put a stop to gossip that his own winning streak is all money, no skill.
It might not be the social commentary that Han Han built his reputation on, but perhaps he’s making the point that, with blandly slick professionalism like Lin’s, something is being lost in the pursuit of Chinese prosperity – the view of the city from Zhang Chi’s flat is about to be spoiled by construction of a giant skyscraper.
