The Four Generals by Trấn Thành is creating a sensation in Vietnamese cinemas during the Tet At Ty festival. With box office earnings surpassing 100 billion VND just days after its release, the film not only breaks records but also becomes the focal point of both audiences and professionals.
The Four Generals features standout actors such as Trấn Thành, Lê Giang, Lê Dương Bảo Lâm, and Uyển Ân (Photo courtesy of the production team).
Breaking All Box Office Records
Just three days after its release, The Four Generals surpassed 100 billion VND in revenue, breaking the previous record held by Mai. According to the distributor’s statistics, the film sold over 1.2 million tickets in the first 72 hours. By February 1, 2025, the total revenue reached approximately 165 billion VND, far outpacing its contemporaries Billion Dollar Kiss and Falling for a Friend.
Notably, the number of screenings for The Four Generals also set a new record. On February 1, the film had 6,000 screenings nationwide, triple that of Billion Dollar Kiss (around 1,900 screenings) and six and a half times that of Falling for a Friend (over 900 screenings).
Mr. Nguyễn Khánh Dương, founder of Box Office Vietnam, noted that the increase in new cinema complexes, particularly in Hanoi, has contributed significantly to the rise in screenings. This reflects the actual demand from audiences rather than one-sided preferences from cinema operators.
Content Controversies
Despite its commercial success, The Four Generals has faced criticism regarding its content. On social media, many posts labeled it as “the worst film directed by Trấn Thành.” Some viewers felt the film lacked depth and did not meet their expectations.
At an audience interaction event in Hanoi on January 31, Trấn Thành expressed his sadness over the negative feedback. He emphasized his dedication to each project: “I believe The Four Generals is not a bad film. While it may not compare to previous works like Mai, it still brings laughter and meaningful messages.”
Trấn Thành interacts with the audience in Hanoi (Photo courtesy of the production team).
Dominating Competitors
Compared to The Four Generals, films released simultaneously like Billion Dollar Kiss and Falling for a Friend saw modest box office returns. Billion Dollar Kiss earned 28 billion VND after four days, while Falling for a Friend brought in over 8 billion VND. The significant disparity highlights Trấn Thành’s and his team’s strong appeal.
Trấn Thành maintains his dominant position at the Vietnamese box office (Photo courtesy of the production team).
Film Plot: Humor and Emotion
The Four Generals is a comedy centered around the love story between Quỳnh Anh (Tiểu Vy) and Quốc Anh (Quốc Anh). When their relationship faces challenges due to the appearance of wealthy woman Karen (Kỳ Duyên), the extended family, including Aunt Four (Lê Giang), Kiều (Uyển Ân), Jessica (Lê Dương Bảo Lâm), and Uncle Eleven (Trấn Thành), devises plans to help them reconcile. This leads to a series of humorous and emotional situations, providing entertaining moments for the audience.
Conclusion
The Four Generals clearly demonstrates Trấn Thành’s magnetic presence as a director. Despite facing controversies, the film has proven its ability to attract audiences and achieve remarkable records. To fully understand this work, take the time to watch it and appreciate the meaningful messages it conveys.
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