Synopsis
"Hi, Mom" is a 2021 Chinese comedy film written, directed, and starring Jia Ling, adapted from her real-life experiences. The story follows Jia Xiaoling, who travels back to 1981 after her mother unexpectedly falls into a coma, meeting her mother in her youth and attempting to give her a happier life. The film deeply moved countless audiences with its sincere portrayal of mother-daughter affection, earning a Douban rating of 7.7 and a box office revenue of 5.4 billion yuan in mainland China.
Overview
"Hi, Mom" (Chinese: 你好，李焕英) is a Chinese fantasy comedy-drama film released during the 2021 Chinese New Year holiday. Written, directed by, and starring Jia Ling, the film also features Shen Teng, Zhang Xiaofei, Chen He, Liu Jia, and others. This marks Jia Ling's directorial debut. It is adapted from her eponymous sketch created for the Zhejiang TV comedy competition show "Top Funny Comedian," which itself was based on her real-life experiences with her mother, Li Huanying.
The film tells the story of daughter Jia Xiaoling who, after her mother falls into a coma, finds herself transported back to 1981 where she meets the young Li Huanying. Determined to give her mother a happier life, Jia Xiaoling tries everything to change her mother's destiny, only to ultimately discover that her mother's greatest wish is simply for her daughter to be healthy and happy. The film moved countless audiences with its sincere portrayal of mother-daughter love and was praised as a movie made with genuine heart.
The film holds a 7.7 rating on Douban. Initially, its score rose from 8.1 to 8.3 upon release, with over 80% of netizens giving it 4 stars or higher. Key audience review keywords were "laughing and crying" and "genuine emotion." Its box office in mainland China was approximately 5.4 billion RMB, ranking it second in Chinese film history at the time (later dropping to third with the release of other films) and successfully entering the global top 100 box office rankings. This achievement made Jia Ling the world's highest-grossing female director, surpassing Patty Jenkins, director of "Wonder Woman."
Main Cast
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Jia Ling | Jia Xiaoling (Daughter) |
| Zhang Xiaofei | Young Li Huanying (Mother) |
| Liu Jia | Middle-aged/Older Li Huanying |
| Shen Teng | Shen Guanglin |
| Chen He | Leng Te |
Box Office & Records
| Item | Data |
|---|---|
| Mainland China Box Office | ~5.4 billion RMB |
| All-time China Ranking | 3rd (as of 2024) |
| Global Ranking | Entered global top 100 box office |
| Jia Ling's Achievement | World's highest-grossing female director |
| Release Date | February 12, 2021 (Chinese New Year holiday) |
Cultural Impact
"Hi, Mom" was not only a commercial success but also sparked deep societal discussions about mother-daughter relationships and familial affection. Many viewers reported re-examining their own relationships with their mothers after watching the film, leading to a surge in family viewings around Mother's Day. Jia Ling channeled her own longing and regret for her mother into the film's creation, and this authentic emotional power was key to its success.
The film also spurred a wave of creative interest in time-travel comedies, proving that comedies centered on genuine emotion could also achieve market recognition. Zhang Xiaofei successfully transitioned from a comedic actress to a film actress through her role as the young Li Huanying, garnering widespread attention.
References
- Douban Movie — Hi, Mom: https://movie.douban.com/subject/34841067/
- Wikipedia — Hi, Mom: https://zh.wikipedia.org/zh-cn/你好，李焕英
- Baidu Baike — Hi, Mom: https://baike.baidu.com/item/你好，李焕英
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