Being a fan of Asian horror movies, especially knowing that unlike the ones we have here in America they usually highlight symbolic meaning and draw horror from what lies underneath the story they've woven, I tend not to judge on the ostensible plot of these types of movies and focus more on their message.For this movie that was impossible. I understand perfectly the message that the movie is trying to convey about the dangers of abortions and the extent of immorality that people will be driven to by vanity. However, even when I got past that I really couldn't consider this movie's plot anything more than lacking, at best, and more or less absent at worst.The plot is supposed to be exactly what you can read in most descriptions: a woman, trying to regain her youth and cheating husband, consults a witch doctor and begins eating miracle dumplings with a horrifying special ingredient. And, on the most basic level, that was what it was about. But beyond that it was a mess.Sometimes the issues seemed like they were close to being resolved, but then the movie either introduced something completely different or just ignored the possible resolution and moved on to something completely different. Such as the ending. Right after a dramatic shift in circumstances that leaves the viewer with very powerful conflicting emotions, the movie completely ignores that new issue and instead choose to settle for old characters with new issues and an ending that really didn't resolve anything.What really saved this movie for me was the amazing acting and cinematography. Sometimes the actors played their parts so well that even without the subtitles you could kind of tell what they were saying based on context alone. At no point was a line directed in a way that failed to have, what I assume, was its intended effect.The cinematography was also amazing and very artsy. There were some off-center or out of focus shots, normally irritating but here very wonderful. The lighting, the props, the camera angles--it was all gorgeous! That alone made me keep watching through the more grueling, slow suspense-building parts.Long story short: if you like good acting and amazing polish, this moving is a must see. If you're more interested in plot, then you should probably opt out.

I thought it was great! the movie sucked me in right away, a very well done film all together.Though i know many people that would not be able to handle this movie,I love it! If you can handle sick stuff it is worth watching.It gives a great comparison on how we treat the animals we eat,i appreciated that.Id watch it again. well written,well produced.The main actresses are amazing,and grow threw out the movie.The way this movie is filmed gives a very creepy cold yet artsy feel with vibrant colors and trippy camera angles.I thought a movie on this subject would be corny or just plain horrible acting,i was proved wrong.Half way through the movie i caught my self thinking this is so well done and i cant take my eyes off the screen.

Those who've seen the Dumplings short on the rather awesome 3 Extremes compilation know basically what to expect here. Much as Se7en became known for its "What's in the box?" sequence, this movie has become infamous for "What's inside the titular dumplings?", the answer of which is far grimmer than the severed head of a terrible actress. It's played very well, with the revelation ensuring that many lines of dialogue create shivers and every crackly crunch of a dumpling being munched on inducing squirms in most audience members. Sure, it's a one trick pony, but when the trick involves sledgehammering one of humanity's ultimate taboos, then you don't really need another.Dumpings is about a woman who's desperate to get rid of some wrinkles and give her skin that youthly glow in order to hold her husband's interest. Of course, any husband worth a damn would oblige by dropping trou and offering up a batch of the world's most effective face moisturiser, but this guy's too busy with business and shagging women on the side to perform this kindly service. Their relationship is somewhat typical of the phenomenon whereby male wealth and female beauty go hand in hand. It's how we end up with the sugar daddy concept and why we see Donald Trump types marrying fake-tanned, fake-titted models a third of their age; females across the globe striving for ultimate beauty just so they can spread their legs for a guy old enough to be their grandfather in return for a diamond necklace. The sacred bond of marriage has become, in many cases, nothing more than a form of socially acceptable prostitution. I now pronounce you scumbag and whore. Now sign your certificate and start trading services.So, Dumplings comments on this societal plague that sees a woman's beauty as a quantitative valuation of her overall worth, but it's also about the need to prolong one's youth to the detriment of others, mainly the youth themselves. The idea of leaving a better world for our children has been discarded in favour of a "me first" attitude where scrambling for every possible way to make the most out of life contributes to a legacy that damns the children before they've even left the womb. The Beatles told the baby boomers that all they needed was love, but the baby boomers weren't listening. They don't want love, they want a nicer house. Then they want the car they've always dreamed of, but then they need another car to drive to work. Of course that means they need a new house with a double garage, and while they're at it, why not buy another house as an investment property. The next generation inherits a world where luxuries have become necessities because you can't possibly be happy unless you own lots of stuff, right? Right? So you'd better work your ass off to get those things or else other people will think you're a failure. Screw weekends, that's 2 whole days that you could be working to buy more things. Oh, but make sure you get to the gym at 5 am because you're no spring chicken anymore, and remember your next Botox treatment is on Sunday. Follow that through to its logical conclusion and you have a whole bunch of great looking parents spawning the most spoiled, privileged generation of kids in history who are cutting themselves out of sheer boredom and apathy toward their own self-worth. Future fetuses being masticated between the teeth of superficial here-and-now "happiness", because the human race forgot that all it needed was love.What does that have to do with Dumplings? Nothing really. Got a little side-tracked. Sorry 'bout that. Incidentally, it's a good movie. You should check it out, even if you've already seen the short.

The absolutely delicious Ling Bai plays a sixty-odd year old cook whose dumplings are famous for their regenerative qualities. Bai's performance is memorable and really helps carry the film along. Miriam Yeung Chin Wah stars as the famous television star who craves for her youth and will do anything she can to regain her former looks and rekindle the relationship with her husband, Tony Leung Ka Fai.This is a very un-Hollywood production and shows the difference that Asian movies bring to the cinema. "Dumplings" is disturbing in its taboo-breaking subject matter and unflinching in its depiction of events. Rather than deliver "Ringu"-style supernatural shocks and surprises, "Dumplings" is a much more reality-based movie with only traces of the magical included. Slow-paced but atmospheric and beautifully produced, this won't be to all tastes.A strong 7 out of 10. Fans of category III films "The Untold Story" and "There Is A Secret In My Soup" should like this one.