Bad Genius: Welcome to the Dark Side (of Education)

It had been 2 months since I last updated anything into my blog. Life had been occupied, with working far from home and the only device I use to go online is my trusted phone. Nothing beats typing on a real keyboard compare to a virtual one. Finally, in a long weekend, me and Lyn decided to give ourselves a treat and catch up on the movies playing still in the cinema. Between Anabelle and Bad Genius, we thought might as well go for a lighter option.



We were so wrong. The Thai blockbuster is far from a light movie. Do not get me wrong. It is a very good movie, shot very well, and the touch on the subject delicately. The story, as what all the promotion and trailer would had described, a genius was enrolled into a elite but expensive school. To make money, she device different scheme to help other rich students cheat and copy her own answer. The climax of the show tells how she and another genius from the same school try to pull a elaborate international cheating plan involving a entrance exam to US colleges. Initially listening to the trailer, make me wonder.... how new can the idea be? Although inspire by true event, by the time they make creative changes, it still would not beat Naruto first story arc involving the Genin exam. That is the ultimate exam cheating in style.



However, finishing the story, this is more of a social commentary film shot in style. Yup, the direction and editing is so tight that each exam is full of adrenaline. The pace is fast, imagine caper film. The line of actors/ actresses, although new, ease into their roles and made us root for their character. What shine and made this film memorable is the story. It may felt like how young genius were lured to the dark side of education, hatching money making scheme and did it in style, but the whole story is a realistic commentary on how our education fails, how society can be cruel and how bad reality can bite. It is a fact worldwide that life would not be fair. Certain niche of people, the rich would have more chance than the others. The poorer ones, the common people, the sidelined community have way lesser chance to break free. Even though they may have that one chance, if due to twist of fate they screw up the opportunity, they end up back to where they belong. Though the film end with a more positive educational note, it still drive the message across. Life would be unfair still. It is up to us to deal with it, and conquer it and come out victorious.


ratings: 3 half poink~!
comments: I really end up feeling sad for the characters walking out from the cinema. Now, that is what a good movie should do, have impact on the audience.