The Four Guards created a box office sensation during the Year of the Cat Tet with impressive earnings. However, alongside its commercial success, the film by Trấn Thành faced significant criticism regarding its content quality.
The Four Guards drew in crowds during the Tet holiday (Photo: Provided by the production team).
Impressive Box Office Numbers but Criticized Content
Released on the first day of Tet, The Four Guards quickly became a phenomenon in Vietnamese cinemas. According to Box Office Vietnam, the film surpassed Mai’s previous record after just five days of screening, earning 200 billion VND. With such strong growth, many experts predicted it could reach or exceed 520 billion VND.
However, commercial success does not guarantee high praise for the film’s quality. Many viewers commented that the script lacked depth and coherence. The film revolves around the love story between Quỳnh Anh (Tiểu Vy) and Quốc Anh (Quốc Anh), with friends devising plans to mend their relationship. Yet, audience feedback suggested that character development and plot points were disjointed and unconvincing.
Debates Surrounding the Film’s Content
Many viewers argued that The Four Guards marked a step back from Trấn Thành’s previous works like Mai and Nhà Bà Nữ. Notable comments included: “Confusing script with overly preachy dialogue,” and “Too many elements crammed into the film without resolving key issues.”
Film critic Lucas Luân Nguyễn also candidly stated that the film lacked standout moments and failed to evoke audience empathy. He noted, “After watching, nothing really sticks; everything just fades away without leaving an impression.”
Additionally, the excessive use of cameo appearances—brief appearances by famous guests—bothered many viewers. Some even felt the film was overloaded with unnecessary advertisements, detracting from the viewing experience.
Responses from the Director and Cast
In response to the mixed reviews, Trấn Thành and his team defended the film. During meet-and-greets in the Mekong Delta, the actor emphasized his appreciation for all feedback while stressing his efforts to create a movie suitable for the Tet atmosphere.
Trấn Thành shared, “I understand everyone has their own opinions. What matters is listening and learning to improve in the future.” On social media, he encouraged constructive feedback rather than criticism.
Furthermore, actors Lê Giang and Hoa hậu Thu Hoài, both part of the cast, also supported the film, arguing it wasn’t as bad as some reviews suggested.
Conclusion
The Four Guards exemplifies how a film can achieve great commercial success while facing controversy over its content quality. Nonetheless, Trấn Thành’s dedication and open-mindedness deserve recognition. To avoid negative feedback in the future, producers should focus more on balancing entertainment with narrative depth.
Have you seen The Four Guards? Share your thoughts on the film!
References
- Dantri – The Four Guards Spark Controversy
- Box Office Vietnam
