Shower (1999)

In the bustling metropolis of Shenzhen, Da Ming, a thriving businessman, finds himself pulled back into the old world he had left behind in Beijing. A cryptic message from his mentally-challenged, ever-lively brother, Er Ming, convinces him that his father is on death's door, only to discover his father is the vibrant heart of their family's traditional bathhouse. The bathhouse, a relic nestled in the decaying district of his childhood, is a hub of stories and lives under the stewardship of his father. The elderly man is not just the owner but the social director, marriage counselor, and dispute mediator, a beacon of wisdom in this aging community. His father's enduring spirit is juxtaposed with the exuberant simplicity of Er Ming, together forming a duo that anchors the bathhouse in the face of time and change. Caught in a whirlwind of emotion and nostalgia, Da Ming is torn between the booming prosperity of the south and the fading charm of his roots. His life in Shenzhen with a wife, a stranger to his past, starkly contrasts the humble yet fulfilling existence his father and brother lead in Beijing. As Da Ming's icy exterior begins to thaw, he sees his father's health waning and hears the district's impending destruction. Faced with the harsh realities of life and the relentless march of modernity, he is compelled to reassess his values, forcing him to reevaluate his relationship with his family, his past, and his future. The shower of revelations Da Ming experiences in the old bathhouse challenges his perception, compelling him to confront the age-old conflict between the lure of progress and the comfort of tradition. A journey of self-discovery, Shower paints a vivid picture of familial bonds, tradition, and the relentless tide of change.

Shower is a comedy movie featuring Zhu Xu and directed by Zhang Yang.

It is possible to buy Shower on Vudu.