Some reviewers felt the film relied too heavily on predictable tropes and clichéd dialogue. Others criticized the decision to cast a tall actor and shrink him digitally rather than hiring an actor of short stature.
The film tells the story of Cheng Guo (played by Wu Jing), a 35-year-old bachelor who is a successful businessman. He meets a beautiful and charming woman named Duan Xiaomei (played by Zhang Ziyi), who is a kindergarten teacher. Despite their vastly different backgrounds and personalities, they fall in love and get married. up for love 2016
Up for Love (2016) may not be a perfect film, but it is a memorable and heartfelt one. Its decision to digitally shrink the leading man, rather than cast an actor of short stature, is a point of valid critique that many critics emphasized. Its charm offensive is led by two of France's most magnetic stars, whose performances make its central relationship feel wonderfully real. For those looking for a romantic comedy that steps outside the formulaic box, Up for Love offers a sweet, funny, and ultimately life-affirming experience. It’s a film that encourages us to challenge our own superficial judgments and see people, and potential partners, for what’s inside—a timeless message delivered with a particularly French flair for romance and wit. Some reviewers felt the film relied too heavily
The romantic comedy genre often relies on visual and emotional contrasts to drive its narrative engine. In 2016, French director Laurent Tirard took this concept quite literally with (originally titled Un homme à la hauteur ). Starring Academy Award winner Jean Dujardin and Virginie Efira, the film attempts to blend traditional screwball comedy mechanics with a modern discourse on societal prejudice, physical expectations, and psychological vulnerability. He meets a beautiful and charming woman named
Jean Dujardin’s portrayal of Alexandre subverts traditional cinematic depictions of shorter men, who are often relegated to comic relief or tragic figures. Alexandre is sexy, capable, physically adventurous, and comfortable in his own skin. He acknowledges his height but refuses to let it define his capabilities or his confidence. Critical Reception and Legacy
At its core, the film is a study of how society reacts to those who are different. While Alexandre is depicted as a "perfect" man—dashing, wealthy, and emotionally intelligent—his height becomes the sole metric by which the world judges him. The narrative highlights the absurdity of these prejudices through farcical scenes, such as Diane’s mother accidentally driving against traffic upon learning of her daughter’s new beau. These moments emphasize that the "problem" lies not with Alexandre’s stature, but with the "shortcomings" of those around him. Up for Love (2016) - IMDb