Film review: Lost in Thailand

On the face of it, Lost in Thailand is a modest comic road movie by first-time director Xu Zheng, who also stars in, wrote and produced the film. (To make it even more of a family affair, Xu's wife in the film is played by his real-life spouse, Tao Hong.)

But it's hard to ignore the hype surrounding this unabashed crowd-pleaser in view of the more than 38 million people who have seen it since its release in China last month, making it the most viewed film ever on the mainland.

Perhaps the chase comedy being predominantly set in the Land of Smiles, a favourite holiday destination for mainlanders, who made up some 2.7 million of the record-breaking 22 million visitors to Thailand last year, helped draw in some viewers. In truth though, there are few scenes in this entertaining film in which exotic locales are used or shot to good effect - with the exceptions including a funny conversation about traffic jams in Bangkok vis a vis Beijing, and a photogenic festive scene featuring sky lanterns.

Instead, it's the winning performances of its trio of lead actors that really power Lost in Thailand and keep it fun throughout.

Xu plays Xu Lang, a workaholic scientist-businessman who improbably develops a fuel additive that he names Supergas Petroleum Enhancer.