An Autumn's Tale

In this Hong Kong Film Award winner (equivalent to an Oscar) for best picture, actress Cherie Chung stars as Hong Kong native Jennifer who moves to New York City to study for her Master's and reunite with her boyfriend Vincent (Danny Chan Bak-Keung). There, she meets distant relative Samuel Pang (Yun-Fat Chow), a street smart and wise-talking waiter-by-day and gambler-by-night, who helps Jennifer settle within her new life chapter. After Jennifer discovers Vincent was being unfaithful, Pang comes to the rescue and an unlikely and special bond forms.

First of all, the cinematography by David Chung and James Hayman was stunning, brilliantly capturing the breeze, essence and falling leaves of autumn season and the busy, yet sometimes moody, atmosphere of New York City. I especially liked Pang's apartment pad situated under the darkness near the Brooklyn Bridge. You will get an instant feeling of the lifestyles of New Yorkers and the city's rich and poor surroundings.

The screenplay by Alex Law and Chi-Yeuh Low was captivating as it makes you eager to follow the story and has moments that capture your heart, including the parts where Jennifer tries to make up to Pang for her childish behavior after her break-up with Vincent and when Pang helps culture-shocked Jennifer get adjusted to life in New York. The chemistry between the two are touching.

In addition to the drama and romance, there are bits of humor, sweetness and lightheartedness in the story and make you appreciate the film and enables you to relate to the characters. Also, Lowell Lo's music score is charming, Mabel Cheung's direction is solid and the overall acting is superb. True talent is depicted here as Chow Yun-Fat, known for his action films, can pull off real drama, and Cherie Chung's acting is simply to the greatest degree.

I don't want to reveal the story too much, except to conclude that this is more of a movie where a woman meets a man and a special relationship forms. There are enough plot twists and surprises to make this a very distinguished tale.

Grade A

I saw this movie more than ten years ago, but I still remember

the feeling I had, when I was walking out of the theater. It was 1989, July in Seoul.

Incredibly beautiful cinematography combined with great music made this masterpiece out of tale-like story. In additon to Camera works and composing, you can see Chow Yoonfat's great acting of describing a guy with humble and pure spirit.

This beautiful movie may not impress you, but...if you have a chance to go to New York, please stroll along the fifth avenue...it will remind you the humble smile of Samuel(Chow Yoonfat).

Maybe every woman needs a guy who'll build her a desk tub and kick the crap out of a dirty old man who's starting to hit on her at work. This is an offbeat story that seems a little silly at first, but whose sweetness grows as it goes along. Chow Yun-fat and Cherie Chung are both in fine form, and the cinematography in New York is gorgeous, my favorite shot of which was the shadow of a train going down an incline cast upon an apartment building. It's neat that the romance grows out of affection and is without a single kiss, yet the feelings are so strong. The ending dials up the schmaltz but it touches the heart, and hey, it's a romantic comedy after all.

This is one of the most unforgettable movies I have ever seen. The plot was superb and the acting was brilliant. The story was simple but real and touching. You can so easily relate to the characters yourself making it a magical experience to watch it.

Perhaps I am a little biased but I am sure even non-Chinese can understand the feelings portrayed behind the movie. In my opinion, this is still the best film that Chow Yun Fat has ever casted in.

There is one kind of a man with whom you are very comfortable, you would not marry him at the time but you would not forget him, and maybe you would marry him later.