This is a well-observed film. It doesn't try to go over-the-top with the story or characters. It could easily have: Eve was born on the year of the firehorse, so she's doomed to be a difficult child. The story rings true for me in so many ways that I couldn't stop watching, despite the problems I have with it. I can so relate to Chinese family depicted, and one that immigrates from China (even if it's to Canada). I laughed when the father asked the mother why the kids are now both Catholic and Buddhist, she replied nonchalantly "More protection."
The movie as a whole, works. I was nevertheless bothered by many of the actors, who appeared very amateaurish. Nothing against them, but this was not shot to look amateurish -- and in fact cinematography is good. Also, I think some of Eve's character details are a little arbitrary, but the movie lays enough emotional background -- plus pretty good acting by Phoebe Kut -- that in the end I was pretty happy with the movie.
