The arc of this film is compelling and the central love story so tender that my heart warms at the memory of it. However the secondary actors' work and their scenes are sometimes ragged and unsure. I am not sure why this is but it is. It is almost as if a second director handled those chores. The scenes between the two main characters are so delicate and precise, and the love scene so passionate (even though very short) that I am surprised by the film each time I've viewed it. Carina Lau and "Charlie" Yeung are completely convincing in their devotion to one another.
There is even a clever "mystery" woven into the storytelling mode. I own a VHS of this 117 minute version.
I understand a director's cut version of 162 minutes is the "real thing" and I suspect it is even better than this HK censor's cut. I have been trying to buy a director's cut but cannot find it. If anyone reading my words knows how I can get hold of the longer version please let me know.
This film poses the unstated question: "Can committed mature love ever be wrong?" and it answers with a resounding "NO!". Very enlightened and humane story and I wish there were more of them. As a happy resident of the enlightened "Bay Area" I was delighted in my surprise that this film came out of China (HK).
There is even a clever "mystery" woven into the storytelling mode. I own a VHS of this 117 minute version.
I understand a director's cut version of 162 minutes is the "real thing" and I suspect it is even better than this HK censor's cut. I have been trying to buy a director's cut but cannot find it. If anyone reading my words knows how I can get hold of the longer version please let me know.
This film poses the unstated question: "Can committed mature love ever be wrong?" and it answers with a resounding "NO!". Very enlightened and humane story and I wish there were more of them. As a happy resident of the enlightened "Bay Area" I was delighted in my surprise that this film came out of China (HK).