REVIEW : ATM - 提款機 (2015)

I wish I could say that there was at least one Chinese movie that I've watched during CNY that's good. I was hoping for ATM to be that movie.

Unfortunately, no such luck.

L-R : Ah Lok, Ming Ming and Bo Zai

Ah Lok aka Rock (Kelvin Kwan 关楚耀) graduated with an engineering degree but instead of pursuing a career in what he majored in, he's out on the streets, busking for a living; Bo Zai (C-Kwan C君) dreams of being able to afford his own house so that he would be able to please his girlfriend; and all Ming Ming (Joanne Yew 尤凤音) ever wanted was to amass great wealth. All three of them face the issues faced by most people in their 20's: the rising cost of living. So when a heist to steal an entire ATM goes wrong, the three post-80's find themselves working in a nursing home in order to search for the lost machine. 

Essentially, the main point of ATM is to tell a story about the relationship and the generational gap between the elderly and and the younger generation. 

While many scenes in the movie that portrays what everyone who's up-to-date is doing these days (being constantly on the phone, selfies anywhere anytime), it feels fake. It felt forced, like it was done on purpose. (Which I realise is a rather oxymoronic thing to say since this is a movie.) Maybe it's the writing, the directing, or the acting. I'm not too sure myself. Nonetheless, even thought these things  happen in real life, in the movie it just feels like a not-so-subtle plot device. It feels clichéd. 

And to be completely honest, the entire plot feels weak. I get where the director is going with it, but it's just not there. Sometimes things just feel rushed, and it did surprise me when the movie ended on an abrupt and unsatisfying end. (Although I guess I should have anticipated it seeing how they pretty much resolved most of their subplots on an unsatisfying note.) I wish I could say that I felt the feelings they were intending to convey to the audience, but I didn't because I couldn't feel the connection with the characters, Perhaps they should have spent some time fleshing them out, showing us actual personalities that feel real and not just another face with a fictitious name. 

There's a sad reason behind all the photos and post-its. 

The acting by the younger generation felt stiff and rehearsed. Although I must say C-Kwan was truly the standout; he did well as the comic relief of the group, if not the entire movie. It shouldn't be a surprise that the older generation actors were much better, since they are all familiar faces and veterans in the Hong Kong film industry, whether it was Ha Yu (夏雨) as the educated Kam-seng, Stanley Fung (冯淬帆) as the typical grumpy grandfather, or Lo Hoi-Pang (卢海鹏) who still thinks he rules the place. Bowie Wu (胡枫) makes a cameo, one of many cameos, in this film and his scene was adorable. 

Overall, ATM is an okay movie that tries to tell a story with an intent to send a message and tug on our heartstrings. Sure the message is clear, it's obvious; but it goes to the mind, not the heart. And sometimes you are just left confused with all the plot devices they threw into the film that make no sense. Besides, it's not exactly something you've never watched before, 


I rate it : 5/10 stars

The GOOD : The older actors were great, C-Kwan was great; sends an important message

The BAD : Clichéd plot that felt rushed at times; unsatisfying resolutions; the BGM was sometimes too dramatic

WATCH IT IF YOU...

• ...want a decent family-friendly film for any generation.
• ...are someone that is not to critical of a movie when certain things end up being illogical.

ATM - 提款機 (2015) 

Genre : Comedy, Drama

Runtime : 100 minutes
Director : Kenne Yam

Cast : Kelvin Kwan, C-Kwan, Joanne Yew, Paw Hee-ching, Lo Hoi-Pang, Stanley Fung, Ha Yu