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The Pretending Lovers

Name: The Pretending Lovers
Director: Liu Fendou
Released: 2011
Duration: 93 min

Representation Score

3.0/10

Limited

2011

Director

Liu Fendou

Runtime

93 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

The film functions as a typical romantic comedy, emphasizing genre clichés over social critique. While the female lead asserts control by setting the terms of the relationship, the overall narrative remains conventional. Cultural diversity is limited to the protagonist’s travels to Norway, lacking a multi-ethnic cast or attempts to challenge traditional casting norms.

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Category Breakdown

Does The Pretending Lovers have LGBTQ+ representation?

Limited

The film revolves around a heterosexual 'fake boyfriend' setup, with no indication of LGBTQ+ identities or critiques of traditional relationships.

How does The Pretending Lovers portray gender?

Fair

Lu Shen influences the male protagonist through unusual challenges, disrupting some traditional gender roles while still following typical romantic comedy patterns.

How racially and ethnically diverse is The Pretending Lovers?

Fair

The story features a Chinese protagonist traveling to Norway, introducing cross-cultural elements. However, the cast seems predominantly East Asian without clear multi-ethnic representation.

How does The Pretending Lovers represent religion and culture?

Limited

The narrative centers on personal romantic pursuits without critiquing institutions. It follows conventional storytelling without delving into secular themes or power dynamics.

Does The Pretending Lovers include disability representation?

Minimal

The film does not depict characters with physical, sensory, or neurodivergent disabilities, nor does it explore their experiences or challenges.

Present on Screen

The female lead, Lu Shen, drives the plot through her challenges, showing significant influence.
The international setting in Tromsø offers a cross-cultural backdrop for the story.

Limited or Absent

The film relies heavily on traditional romantic comedy clichés and lacks subversion of social norms.
There is a lack of multi-ethnic casting or diverse representation beyond the Chinese protagonist.
The narrative does not address disability or neurodivergent experiences.

Official Synopsis

Wen Chen, an honest insurance company salesman, has traveled all the way from China to look for a woman named Lu Shen. The two have enjoyed a rather carefree relationship together, where Wen, being Lu's "fake boyfriend", eventually fell victim of her never-ending series of bizarre challenges. In Tromsø, Wen bumps into a taxi driver who recognizes Lu as "the Chinese girl in the mountains", and the two of them set out to find her.

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