On Happiness Road

On Happiness Road is a Taiwanese animated film that premiered in 2017, starring acclaimed actress Gwei Lun-mei. This moving story weaves together a rich tapestry of life's intricacies and necessitates an exploration of personal identity, family history, and the conception of happiness. The film, created over seven years by director Sung Hsin-Yin, is a testament to Taiwan’s coming of age story, its unique history, and rich culture.

At the heart of the film is the protagonist Chi, an ambitious young woman voiced by Gwei Lun-mei. The actress does a phenomenal job bringing life to Chi, a character flushed with various hues of humanity. The film begins when Chi, now living her dream life in the United States, returns to her old neighborhood, Happiness Road, in Taiwan. The trip home was prompted by the death of her grandmother, but it inevitably becomes a journey into an intricate web of memories, childhood reminiscences, and life choices.

Chi’s exploration of her past gives us a window into Taiwan's history and socio-political context. We see the neighborhood change rapidly over the years, reflecting the country's post-war economic boom. Traditional superstitions and belief systems collide with the coming wave of westernization, mirrored in the contrasting characters of Chi’s parents. The changes on Happiness Road are often punctuated by news broadcasts, depicting real events in Taiwan’s timeline, effectively intertwining Chi’s personal narrative with the larger national narrative in a captivating manner.

This narrative is given life by the vibrant animation style of the movie. The resulting allure of this visual panorama is a tribute not only to Taiwan’s varied landscapes but also to a combination of the mundane and symbolic that resonate with Taiwanese identity. The beautiful design and nostalgic aspects effortlessly immerse us into Chi’s world and her journey of self-discovery.

The film questions the conventional idea of success and happiness. Chi's journey from Happiness Road to America and back again serves as a metaphor for her search for 'happiness.' The concept is explored from different perspectives, focusing on her father's traditional beliefs of a happy life and her own more westernized individualistic approach. As Chi grapples with profound questions about her life, the viewer experiences a parallel journey of introspection.

In orchestration with the animation is the film’s music, which beautifully complements the narrative. The melodious soundtrack weaves seamlessly into the narrative, accentuating the mood of each moment, from melancholic to celebratory, adding another layer of richness to this production. The voice acting in particular is outstanding, with Gwei Lun-mei’s emotive performance grounding the film in a compelling realism despite the animated canvas.

Ultimately, On Happiness Road is a poignant exploration of personal and national identity. The film beautifully bridges the gap between fact and fiction, history and present, visually narrating one woman’s journey to understand self, family, and country. While rooted in Taiwanese context, the story resonates on a universal level, exploring themes of identity, the concept of home and belonging, and the pursuit of happiness. The sight of Chi trying to navigate her place in the world becomes a powerful metaphor for Taiwan's struggle with its own identity amid shifting socio-political landscapes.

On Happiness Road is more than just an animated film. It is a profound commentary on life’s nuances that manages to be as evocative as it is entertaining, and this is largely thanks to the delightful way it marries narrative depth with artistic flourish. Its whimsical animation style and multi-layered storytelling provide room for an introspective look at the rapid changes that Taiwan underwent over several decades, while its rich, relatable narrative will surely hit home for many viewers, regardless of their own cultural context.

This film is worth watching for its rich animation, the spectacular performance by Gwei Lun-mei, and the intricate storyline that beautifully explores the complexities of being human. On Happiness Road is bound to leave a lasting impression with its depth and beauty, making it a must-see for individuals looking to experience a compelling narrative that operates on multiple levels at once.