Jia and Zhang and a fine support cast carry out these shenanigans with an appealing energy that helps smooth things over when the screenplay occasionally stumbles into clunky plotting, super-corny dialogue and scenes that drag on for too long.

The film features a number of these tightly-written skits, performed by a cast whose easy rapport is obvious.

Full credit to Jia, who has pulled off a major cinematic victory with Hi, Mom, which she caps with a climactic revelation that will ensure there isn't a dry eye in the house.

Hi, Mom successfully balances the slapstick and the sentimental, with a plot twist that will break your heart and make you want to call or hug your mum after the screening.