FOREVER FEVER
Adele Tan
Written and Directed by: Glen Goei
Cast: Adrian Pang (Ah Hock), Annabelle Francis (Julie), Medaline Tan (Mei), Steven Lim (Boon), Pierre Png (Richard).
Produced by: Tiger Tiger Productions Pte Ltd./Shaw Organisation (Singapore distributor).
Runtime: 95 minutes
Rating: * * * out of * * * * *
The Fever is back
Editor's Note: This review might contain spoilers. Read on at your own risk!
You will be forgiven if you'd thought that you've just stepped into a re-run of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER because that is exactly what the entire film approximates to. An attempt is made to superimpose the Singaporean context onto the John Travolta classic dance flick and the end result is a rather enjoyable nostalgic recapturing of the 70s' disco era.
![[ FOREVERFEVER Photo ]](/film/images/foreverfever.jpg)
The key to watching this film is to not take it seriously and the silly bits will gradually endear themselves to you. This is not your Eric Khoo-type arthouse movie and has no pretensions of being one. For those who did not grow up in the 70s' (like this reviewer whose birth postdated the film), you will still be able to relate to the retro dance music a la The BeeGees and the outrageously campy but trendy outfits and dance routines-- features which will be part of the film's main appeal.
The plot is simple, albeit contrived, and you can almost sniff out how the story is going to end. For those who are familiar with the original Fever movie, you will easily spot the all too obvious rip-offs of the real McCoy such as the dining table scene. The story starts with supermarket assistant cum Bruce Lee- wannabe, Ah Hock (played by stage actor Adrian Pang) wanting to buy a new beefy-looking motorbike. He decides to take a shot at the $5000 grand prize at the Galaxy Disco dance competition and signs up with childhood sweetheart Mei (ex-98.7FM deejay Medaline Tan) for dance classes. The initially awkward Hock manages to shake some butt with the help of some pseudo-magical manifestation of Travolta, providing him with "spiritual" inspiration. When Hock finally makes good, he catches the attention of dancer-babe Julie (Vidz VJ Annabel Francis) who decides to pair up with him for the competition. In the meantime, Hock incurs the wrath of Julie's ex-partner Richard (Fame awards' Pierre Png) and gets caught in a romantic dilemma with the two women. And, as with most happy endings, Hock wins first prize and the heart of Mei, culminating in a kopi-tiam kiss.
What first-time director/screenwriter Glenn Goei (of M BUTTERFLY and Mulan Theatre fame) is doing here is a whimsical reconstitution of what the 70s in Singapore was all about, replete with the icons, lingo and trends of that time. No less than a cool million was spared to recreate an authentic atmosphere (although some suspension of disbelief is still required) and the production standards are noticeably high, thanks in part to the same artistic director from THE ADVENTURES OF PRISCILLA, QUEEN OF THE DESERT. Goei succeeds in putting little nifty touches to FEVER; such as the out-of-movie metamorphosis of Travolta (only a look-alike), the Mills and Boon obsessive of a sister played by Pam Oei and the 3-ply transformation of Kumar as a transvestite-dance instructor-competition host, lifting the movie out of its lack of originality.
However, Goei does not do so well in trying to give melodramatic/tragic overtones to an ostensible piece of comedy. The running subplot to the story is Hock's semi-dysfunctional family. Hock's brother Leslie (Caleb Goh) plays the typical son pressured by family to study medicine and the twist here is that Leslie always wanted to be a woman and now needs money for a sex change operation. After being disowned by the father, Leslie commits suicide (but survives) and Hock decides that the prize money should go to him and not his bike. This subplot feels unnecessary and remains weakly developed by Goei. Understandably, Goei is also trying to draw attention to the 70s transvestite scene in Singapore but this sentimental/human edge distracts us from the whole dance feel of the movie and ends up becoming incongruous.
The movie also relies on the familiar appeal of a stable of veteran actors and TV personalities such as Tan Kheng Hua and Koh Chieng Mun in cameo appearances. Nevertheless, acting amongst the cast remains uneven as debut screen actors such as Annabel Francis, Medaline Tan and Pierre Png looked somewhat uncomfortable in the medium and failed to provide adequate chemistry. And while the cast could have been more expressive, they were generally a letdown when it came to comic timing. Although not as suave as the other males in the cast, Pang does a competent job with Hock, proving that one does not always need a good-looking male lead when he's got the character under his skin.
FOREVER FEVER is still a movie to catch for its infectious retro music re-mixed by local artistes and dance moves -- making you want to groove in your seat. It is a high-energy, fun and feel-good kind of movie, plus this is a rare trip down memory lane on the big screen so really FOREVER FEVER cannot do much wrong. If not, think of it as supporting the local film industry and helping Glenn Goei to recoup his money.
The Flying Inkpot's Rating System
* Wait for the TV2 broadcast.
** A little creaky, but still better than staying at home with Tonight With Gurmit.
*** Pretty good, bring a friend.
**** Amazing, potent stuff.
***** Perfection. See it twice.
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