Leap (2020) [Film Review]

Leap; or, Comrades Can Jump

     Look at the court. You are the youngest and you have the strongest attack. I called you up to the national team when you were 18. Everything I've put you through, all leads up to today.
China relentlessly keeps churning out blockbuster pictures inspired by true events for a few good years now. Peter Chan’s production from 2020 is no exception from this trend, yet it manages to accomplish much more than recent state-approved movies made for the sole purpose of glorifying the might of the People’s Republic of China. Better warm yourselves up because we are taking a look at Leap.

Release Info

Directed by: Peter Chan Starring: Gong Li, Huang Bo, Bai Lang, Wu Gang, Peng Yuchang

Language: Mandarin Original Title: 奪冠 Runtime: 134 min

Synopsis
The film tells the story of how the Chinese National Women's Volleyball Team developed and entered the hallmarks of sports history. Throughout the period of 40 years, we see various generations of sports women pushing their efforts to the limits in order to win the Olympic championships. We follow the character of Lang Ping who was originally a member of the team in the early 1980s. After retiring from active sportsmanship, she became a coach, training various teams abroad, including the American one. After the shocking defeat of China at the 2008 Olympics, Lang Ping assumes the position of the head coach of the China national team. Sport enthusiasts and experts are not too hopeful about the team’s success at the approaching 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro…

  Crown Players
Leap was originally supposed to premiere to celebrate the Chinese New Year at the beginning of 2020, but it was pushed back to Fall because of the raging pandemic. In my opinion, the release delay works in the movie’s favour. Its motivational tone and zero-to-hero story arc is exactly what we the viewers need for 2021.

The beginning of the film might be slightly confusing at first. We start off with the match at the 2008 Olympics and the set up suggests that we are in for some kind of epic anime-like duel of fates between the coaches, Lang Ping (Gong Li) and Cheng Zhong He (Huang Bo). However, a lengthy flashback rushes to unravel the true story behind the protagonists. The journey begins in the 1980s when the up-and-coming volleyball players are training in spartan conditions under the watchful eye of the head coach Yuan Wei Min (Wu Gang). The trainer is just as merciless as Mickey from Rocky movies as he makes the team shed blood, sweat, and tears on the court while reminding them that they fight for the glory of China. At the same time, we see the formation of friendship between the team’s helper, young Cheng Zhong He (Peng Yuchang), and a young player, Lang Ping (played by Bai Lang, real Lang Ping’s daughter- picture above).

Initially, I thought that the introductory part of the film is a bit of a generic remix of sports drama tropes. However, when the second act kicked in, everything started making sense. Leap is not about being the champ all the time, but about conflicting approaches towards sports. The authority suits obviously demand results, but Lang Ping, after years of experience in the field, thinks that being the best is not the point. Giving all the effort during the challenge, regardless of the outcome, is what matters the most.

Leap may be the story about the team of underdogs; however, it also presents a wonderful friendship between Lang Ping and Cheng Zhong He that stands the test of time. It is so rare nowadays to see a fellow colleague in a professional field who is so supportive of your actions!

The movie also goes at lengths with regard to historical accuracy, providing the viewers with four most important events for the Chinese National Women's Volleyball Team: the practice match with the Jiangsu team (1980), the World Cup final game with Japan (1981), the Beijing Olympics (2008), and the quarterfinals in the Rio Olympics (2016). The last match is especially significant because the filmmakers brought on board real female players from that time. Yes, you see in the film real participants of that event, not actors. Interestingly, there was always an acting coach who aided the athletes during the shooting.

With regard to performances, Gong Li is magnificent as always. The role of Lang Ping, the true heroine of Chinese sports, is quite a breakaway from Gong Li’s standard drama roles, but the actress gives a flawless performance. I also greatly enjoyed Hung Bo as Cheng Zhong He. I guess everyone would like to have such a kind-hearted guy as their P.E. teacher. It was also interesting to see Bai Lang “portraying” her own mother.

Recommendations
All things considered, Leap is an enjoyable biographical sports film. It may not be as awesome as my all-time fave Hoosiers (1986), but it is really high up there. If you look for a decent motivational tale, then this is the movie for you. Wait till the end credits and you will be rewarded with some real footage of the national women’s team in action.
Overall score: 8/10

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