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Poster for This Is Sanlitun

This Is Sanlitun

Seen it?

2013 | 95 min | Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
A natural pick for people who love a story about friendship and fans of deadpan, fly-on-the-wall comedy. The friendships are the beating heart of it. Fans of The Cameraman or Code 3 should feel right at home. Shot like a documentary, played completely straight.
The mood
Funny with heart, romantic.
The pace
Bright and bouncy, at 1 hr 35 min.
What might put you off
  • No age rating on record, so check it first for young kids.
  • Skip it if you're after something serious tonight.

British sad sack Gary is a failed entrepreneur who has just arrived in Beijing's stylish Sanlitun district, allegedly to start a business. There are other reasons why he has uprooted himself — he's followed his ex-wife and young son, for one — but he soon finds out that China isn't the easiest place to succeed. Blissfully untouched by self-awareness, and only fitfully in tune with reality, Gary sallies forth to make money, armed with faith in himself and little to no knowledge of Chinese culture. He soon hooks up with Frank, a trust-fund kid from Australia who offers to mentor Gary in Eastern ways, although Frank's pedagogical method is restricted to yelling at Gary for being a Westerner and not being as "Chinese" as him.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 409 people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Róbert I. Douglas

  • Carlos OtteryGary
  • Christopher LotonFrank
  • Ai WanLin
  • Cromwell CheungWang Ke