Movie review: Ilo Ilo

RATING: 4.5/5

Does this local movie live up to its award-winning status? It sure does.

What propels Ilo Ilo is the superb performance of the cast. Yeo Yann Yann delivers a heartfelt performance as the heavily pregnant matriarch Hwee Leng, who works hard to keep the family afloat.

Deprived of attention because his parents are working - the movie's Chinese title translates to "Dad and Mum are not at home" - Jia Le (brilliantly played by newcomer Koh Jia Ler) has become a trouble-making brat.

Though the relationship between Jia Le and maid, Auntie Terry (Angeli Bayani), is at first strained, it evolves into a bond close enough to make Leng jealous.

This well-shot and realistic movie will tug at your heartstrings. Well done.

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