BLISS RATING: ★★★★★
“I want someone to share my life with, take care of each other, and grow old together….I may never be able to fulfill this last wish.” – Quote from Mao in Marry My Dead Body
There is so much to unpack in what initially seems like a throw-away film that was originally released in 2022. Marketed as a comedy, it is indeed funny. Its premise is rather unorthodox for us who live in the West. We do not fully understand or grasp different religious beliefs or cultures especially centering around a deep connection to individuals who are deceased. But that does not take away from its impact. If anything, it adds to it.
It is a story conceptually foreign to me. From what I understand, it is an established custom in some parts of the Asian communities where if an unmarried person dies, families worry that the individual will be lonely in the afterlife and therefore a ‘ghost marriage’ can be arranged. What made this story so incredibly unique is that it takes place in Taiwan which is one of the few Asian countries that allows same-sex marriages. And therefore, this story merges marriage equality with an ancient tradition. That alone makes it worth the watch.
A homophobic policeman named Ming Han (Greg Hsu) through a series of serendipitous moves is tricked and coerced by Grandma (Wang Maan Chiao) into ‘marrying’ her ‘late’ grandson Mao (Austin Lin) who was planning on marrying his boyfriend. Since Grandma was close to Mao, she wanted to make this arrangement for her now deceased grandson. Because his death was so sudden, Mao’s life was left with lingering unresolved regrets. Therefore, he is unable to reincarnate into an afterlife. Consequently, he is able to materialize to his new-found husband. And their journey to discovering life and death for both begins. Starting out with humor but ending on a bittersweet and wistful note, taking a redemptive path to do so for both.
The complexities of this series are so masterfully interwoven together that perhaps initially one might think where is this story going and how does it all tie in, if in any way, to the death of Mao? Yet, it does. The journey not only solves what Ming Han is after, but it gives Mao the closure he needs for his journey to his afterlife that is not only satisfying for himself but also for the loved ones he left behind.
Who really S.T.O.L.E. this movie? Rarely do I award this distinction to the main leads as it is their job to make us believe. But these two guys are so exceptional that my initial reaction of how can you make a comedy from someone who is so homophobic marry a gay ghost and not make it ridiculous, trite, or so full of clichés that it would be impossible to watch. Yet, Greg Hsu as Ming Han and Austin Lin as Mao gave these characters such well-rounded personalities and a sense of who they were that their believability as Ming Han and Moa was never in doubt or questioned. The outwardness of Ming Han’s homophobia melts away as he gets to know and understand the struggles and pains that Mao went through. And Mao begins to see through the various layers of Ming Han’s façade the caring, the commitment, and the gentleness that he had for others, including for him and his family. Both exteriors softened and we got to feel who these characters were without all the noise. Both their good and their bad. The story presents these two in such raw human form that they become so real, and we honestly want them to be ‘husbands’, but knowing that is not possible.
It must be made clear here. This is not a BL. This is not a romantic story. There is no romance in any way shape or form between Ming Han or Mao, except in the most platonic fashion. Had Mao been alive, I could see a friendship lasting a lifetime. A redefining moment for the term bromance, perhaps. But it is a gay story. A deeply moving gay story of wanting to be loved, accepted, and approved.
As stated, this is billed as a comedy, but its ending is so sad. Deeply sad. Full of regrets but with an opportunity to redeem those regrets. Perhaps that is its lasting message that we should be overcome with. Life is so fragile. Regrets are plentiful with perhaps the opportunities to redeem those regrets coming along so infrequently. Maybe it is best not to waste them. Otherwise, you might be left with a lifetime of painful memories, regrets, and moments when you will weep – alone.
This is an astonishingly impactful movie that will make you laugh, cry, and allow you to ponder and take pause. The timing of its humor is seamless. The acting is impeccable. The story is inspirational as well as being a tear-jerker. In other words, it is memorable.
This is one of the best gay movies for 2023. It should be applauded. Go watch it.
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