The Best Is Yet to Come

As a procedural, it's a fine enough two-hour distraction - you just cannot help but imagine what someone like Jia would have done with the material.

The message of admiration for professional perseverance and integrity delivered by director Wang Jing's debut is acutely valuable at this moment, wherever in the world you are.

It may be too scattered to resolve with lasting catharsis... but Wang's debut is a biopic rooted in such unshakable belief that it leaves you feeling like change is always possible so long as people continue to believe it.

Wang’s effort retains a gritty documentary feel that lends the story an extra layer of front-line authenticity.