Goo nam gwa lui

Popular Hong Kong pop singer Sammi Cheng usually winds up in roles where she plays the "straight man" and doesn't get the joke. Andy Lau somehow maintains his attractiveness to young women half his age - at least in his movies. This film is no exception but is nevertheless a sweet romantic comedy that plays well if you haven't tired of films in which Cheng and Lau fumble through romance.

A must see for fans of Andy Lau this is a light-hearted romantic treat with Sammi Cheung lighting up the scenes with her girl-next-door looks and coquettish smile. There are several moments in the film that could have been smoother (the entire "kidnapping" is a bit overbearing and Kinki's family acts as if they're in the wrong movie) but there's plenty of whimsical fun and childlike nuttiness that will have you rooting for these two well before the two hours run out.

A very, very average and mediocre film. The storyline isn't bad, but it is badly executed. In a series of very disjointed series of scenes, the characters never fully developed. The film never knew exactly what it wanted to be either. Billed as a romantic comedy, it had funny moments, but never seemed to go far enough. Too many unfunny moments spoiled it for me. The characters lacked chemistry and emotion between them and in many ways, the story came out just depressingly sad. Not a good ingredient in a supposedly funny movie. Anyway, it could have been done a lot better...

Another success for the guys at Milkyway. Further testament that Hong Kong still produces great films which needn't involve gangsters and crime, and violence, but can produce quirky little gems like this. Although Andy Lau changes very little from role to role, playing himself mainly, he is likeable, and when you see the "moment of romance" joke you'll realise that Hong Kong can produce subtle comedies which surprise and make you smile without over sentiment.Yep, Andy is willing to make a fool of himself, and that is the joy of him in this film, he has little to say but you see his tranformation and realisation. Sammi, she's likeable but seldom talks maturely, and is more childish in delivery of her lines, but I would think that was the intentions, to make her seem cute, and she is. Yes I like this film, although less of a languishing film by Johnnie To, like "THe Mission", it proves that as long as there is talent like of the same ilk as Johnnie and his merry band, Hong Kong can look a lot more rosy for it. If you like Ally McBeal, you'll like this.

While "Needing You" (aka "Goo nam gwa lui") is a pretty straightforward, if not generic actually, romantic comedy, there is just something that works quite marvelously about it.

Perhaps it is the adorable storyline that writers Cindy Tang, Ka-Fai Wai and Nai-Hoi Yau managed to put together, or the adept skill of bringing the script to life from established directors Johnnie To and Ka-Fai Wai. But it may also be the on-screen chemistry that there was between lead actor Andy Lau and lead actress Sammi Cheng.

I hadn't seen "Needing You" before now in 2021, as I had the opportunity to sit down to watch it. And I must say that it was an entertaining romantic comedy. Sure, this is one of those a dime a dozen romantic comedies, but if you enjoy such movies, then "Needing You" is definitely well worth checking out.

There is a good pacing to the storyline and there are enough variation in the plot to keep it interesting from start until end. Sure, it is predictable, and the movie pans out and ends exactly as you foresee, but it was, nonetheless, an enjoyable ride.

"Needing You" also have names like Shiu Hung Hui and Suet Lam on the cast list, so if you are familiar with Hong Kong cinema during the 1990s and 2000s, then you will recognize these two actors.

I found "Needing You" to be a nice surprise and it was definitely an enjoyable romantic comedy. I am rating this 2000 Hong Kong movie a solid six out of ten stars.