Goo nam gwa lui

This effort from Johnny To and his Milky Way cronies is unfortunately a huge step back for the company. While it can be admired that To (along with co-director Wai Ka Fai) is attempting a new genre, the romantic comedy, the cheap gags definitely threaten to bog down the entire picture. Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng star as Andy and Kinki, a pair of office drones in a company that somehow deals with computer chips. You can guess what happens next. The only saving grace here is Cheng's neurotic, charming performance. However, with Kinki's constant putdowns and desperate antics, this character makes Ally McBeal look like a model of feminist restraint. Lau takes his role a little too seriously and his temper tantrums threaten to turn this seemingly lightweight effort into something far more serious. A subplot about an Internet millionaire's affections for Kinki (which could've been nicely lampooned is instead squandered) never takes off. This is generally an unwatchable effort, which is hopefully only a temporary detour for Milky Way.

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.

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.

Hong Kong seems to love Sammi Cheng in whiny, helpless roles, as evident by her slew of Hong Kong Film Awards acting nominations - for this movie, Love on a Diet (both with Andy Lau), and Fighting for Love (with Tony Leung). While I looked past her annoying character in Love on a Diet because I found its weight-loss theme inspirational, both this movie and Fighting for Love - typical romantic comedies - are merely tolerable, good for a couple of chuckles. Though I understand Sammi's acting range isn't that wide, it's a pity that the Queen of Cantopop is perpetually relegated to such grating cheeseball roles. 6/10

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.