kin-7 I remember one line in the movie: the girl said, "I want to grow up, and be a useful person (in the society / the world)." I have been in US for close to 30 years, and I found that most of my actions, decisions, were geared towards money. And I felt some kind of loneliness and helplessness, as if there is no use or no meaning in life, and I actually stopped moving forward. The lady in the film did this to help the kids and hope that the school doesn't get closed down, and she also said to a guy who planned to "monetize" the kindergarten after-school education market, "are you doing finance, or are you doing the work of an educator?" So I got to rethink my life, and what I will do. This is a well made movie and made me rethink about life.

Reno Rangan Once I was in love with the Hong Kong films, it is my favourite Asian film industry after the Japanese, but I haven't seen any recently. Somewhere on the web I caught this film poster and I followed it to the movie database. After learnt about it I have had the urge to watch it. The most of the Louis Koo's films I saw were either action or thriller, and it is neither, as well as he's in a small role, a supporting one.It was based on the true story that centres a kindergarten in the rural Hong Kong. The school with a long history is now facing a threat of close down due to just five students with no teachers. All the kids hail from the poor families. After knowing this from the television a former elite headmistress Lui, who is now recovering from the surgery decides to put a hold on world tour with her hubby to take the position that offers a very low pay. So the remaining is the story that tells her effort to make the school to stand on its own, but whether it happen or not is what brings the end.I did not know it was a melodrama, but it was not that kind of deep sentimental film that makes you weep like your dog just died. The narration was so smooth, from the introduction of the main characters to the development to the conclusion. From all, the surprise came from the children's performances. What, they all definitely are under five years, but stunning display. And their lines were like the matured adults, which is what kind of defines it a movie, otherwise no doubt that its an inspiring drama."I afraid they'd fight when I'm gone. They may kill each other and I won't see them again. Then I'll be all alone. I'll miss them."It was not all about the school, but about the personal lives as well those who comes in the main narration. While the Lui's attempt to provide everything in her capacity, reveals by focusing why those five kids' family is unable to send to another kindergarten. Like a movie with the multiple layers, but only after the first half where it takes the stretch.It is a good family movie, well received by the audience as well as by the critics and saw a domestic box office success. The highest grossed local movie in that year. Definitely it won't give you the impression of the freshness in the concept. You might have seen the similar flicks in other languages, but the point is to publicise the event that occurred on the other continent with the different characters and the different kind of struggle with the backdrop of the different society and its culture.If it was not a biography, then I don't know how much the original story was altered for cinematic version. All the three acts' were in the perfect order. I love tearjerker films, but sadly I did not wet my eyes for this and I won't expect the same from you. A movie to feel its depth through your heart. So I had a good time with it, I began my 2016 with this one and I hope you too get what you're looking for from this.7.5/10

ringho A 'tear gas' movie as local has it described.Most touching - very basic, human and genuine. No fancy dressing. Have not seen a true story turned into a 2-hour film that touch all that watch it. It provides an opportunity for all to let go the emotion in a cinema - much better than an expensive medical therapy.Superb acting on the parts of the 5 child actresses, especially Kai Kai.Temporarily keep us all away from this troubling world in this brief 2-hour.Many congratulations to all in the making of this film. All have shown great passion and good heart.Immense love. Hats off to Ms Lui, the real headmistress; she has a big heart. Wish you well with her own Thyroid treatment Must see.

ctowyi I absolutely hate the movie because my wife and I were a fricking mess throughout the film. A couple of weeks ago we saw the trailer and in the midst of it we practically turned towards each other simultaneously and said in unison "Sure cry one. We must see." This is a human interest story based on a true story. A principal of a prestigious school for little tots played by Miriam Yeung, steps down feeling very disillusioned by what education is really about. Later, while filling her void with activities, she sees a news on the television that would change her life. A kindergarten with only five students in Yuen Long will be forced to close down and they are hiring a principal-teacher-janitor. The salary is stated as HK$4500 (S$793) a month, not negotiable. Miriam Yeung is a piece of fantastic casting. There is something about her that is so natural and down to earth. Her chemistry with her tots is spot on and believable. Maybe it is the fact that she has become a recent mother which I feel has improved her acting. Or it may be something about a person with a singular goal in life (which is not prestige or money) that makes her unfolding story so inspiring. Being a teacher myself, I really love how she teaches her underlings. She doesn't pay lip service and she never shies her kids from brutal truths. She uses action, not mere words to show her love for the kids and in so doing lay the blueprint for how they would want to live their lives. Her methods are not earth-shattering, awe-inspiring or even Hollywood-type cinematic envelope pushers but I come away feeling completely inspired. Allow me to share an example. While doing home visits she realizes the root of the kids' problems lie in their communication with their parents, so she devises a simple homework for the children - to find out from their parents what is their dream. That sequence is one of light-hearted moments and it completely made us a mess of emotions. Miriam Yeung's natural performance is buoyed by other good performances by veterans like Richard Ng, Fung Shui-Fan and Philip Keung. Louis Koo, definitely HK's busiest actor, plays Yeung's supportive hubby. But his parallel story to Yeung's suffers from under- development. Occasionally I love human interest movies like these. I didn't find it overtly manipulative and there are some subtle but creative scenes. The story is warm and inspiring and prior before watching, I already know where all the emotional traps are. But the really good ones know how to make you want to drop into those emo holes willingly. This one did that for us. It is also testament to a good film that even on the next day while driving my wife to work we were still talking about scenes from the movie, like what's the purpose of showing Jia Jia's dirty shoes. Hang back in the cinema when the credits run and you can see the actual kind visage of the principal and her five blessed kids.