AllMovie

Crazy English director Zhang Yuan weaves a telling tale of conformity and the high price of independence in this screen adaptation of author Wang Shuo's popular novel concerning a young orphan's attempt to fit in among his new classmates and earn the respect of his stern teacher. Effectively orphaned after being abandoned at a Beijing kindergarten, young Qiang has a difficult time adapting to the school's strict new set of rules. In a place where obedience and good behavior is rewarded with precious red flowers, Qiang's inability to conform is only highlighted by his glaring lack of the highly coveted blossoms. As Qiang's constant bedwetting and difficult behavior draw the ire of his short-fused teacher, Mrs. Li, the troubled young child's unintentional rebellion finds him increasingly ostracized by his conformist-minded peers.