Review of Better Days (2019) by Bertobellamy — 11 Apr 2021

'Better Days' has many problems. First, it's hard not to see this film as propaganda: "Look, bullying existed in our schools, but we eradicated it from the county with the help of our good cops." Second, the romantic story is just insufferable. The relationship between the main characters is just a way to attract a larger audience. Their amorous conflict never connects effectively with the bullying storyline, which kind of gets overshadowed by a ridiculous crime subplot.

Finally, director Derek Tsang and his screenwriters conceived this as a tearjerker. Every scene is designed as a feelings crusher; in almost every shot, we see the girl —convincingly played by a nearly thirty-year-old woman— crying or being humiliated by their schoolmates.

The good thing is that 'Better Days' has no chance of winning Best International Film at the Oscars. 'Another Round' will easily take the prize.