Xing yuan

This is a gorgeous love story that is full of emotional twists. It tells of Onion (Richie Ren), a blind and dumb man who is cared for by a nurse, Autumn (Cecilia Cheung). A year after they met, they begin to fall in love, but a car accident kills Onion, and their love seems all but lost. However, chance strikes and as the 60 billionth person to go to Heaven (aka Polaris), he chooses to return to see Autumn. But he only has 5 days, and she cannot know his identity.

Whilst the overall plot may seem quite simple, the film is full of cute little love stories put together, but in no way does it feel fragmented as the flow of the film works beautifully. I wouldn't say that the direction or cinematography was anything special, but that was particularly down to the strength of the script. Cecilia Cheung gives a great and natural performance, Richie Ren, however, mostly seems to overact, and the transition from a childlike blind and dumb man to a mature and philosophical person on his return to Earth seems somewhat flawed. Ok, one might argue, death changes you, your eyes have literally been opened, etc., etc., but surely a character doesn't change as dramatically as his! A mention also for William So, who really does a good performance as Dr Woo. It would have been nice to get a deeper insight in his character.

With three singers in the lead roles, it is not surprising to hear a good soundtrack accompanies the movie. Cecilia's almost haunting lead track does complement the film brilliantly.

In summary, this is a good film to watch, with some originality and an excellent performance by Cecilia Cheung - it's one to watch in the back row with a loved one!

Call me mean for laughing at this obvious but awkward attempt to jerk tears out of the unsuspecting audience. I am not a heartless soul, but yet, this movie just tries too hard to play the melodramatic moments that I can't help to ponder that other movies of similar vein have done better jobs (e.g. Heaven Can't Wait).

The plot is simple: A blind man given a chance to return to Earth for 5 days to finish unfinished business, but there is a rule: he can't reveal who he is, and those who are close to him can't recognize him. So he returns to Earth to meet his long lost ones, only to meet competition...

You can't really call this plot original, so the movie must survive on its cast and its ability to move the hearts of the audience. As for the cast, Cecilia was quite good in her role. Unfortunately, Rickie (Onion) had just overacted his part. The transformation of him from a blind man, to a jealous boy friend, to a fulfilled philospher ready to accept his fate, only to become the lover again, all in a matter of 5 days, was just too incredulous. I guess when time is short, people do tend to achieve more.

But I can't forgive the film for its obvious attempts to jerk tears off the audience... Don't get me wrong, I would love a cry if the movie expresses genuine, deep, sad moments, but this movie just isn't. For a direct comparison, check out Heaven Can't Wait, now, that is a true classic which deserves a good cry over.

A 5/10 in my book.

The asian version of HEAVAN CAN WAIT, my favourite with Warren Beatty, moves Chinese teenagers to tears. Probably in scenes that make us Westerners rather laugh because of their simple and direct actors. Only Cecilia Cheung was convincing, the main protagonist Richie Ren, a popstar from Taiwan, a failure at least in the first part where he impersonated a blind man. After a fatal accident he is sent back to earth and tries to convince Cecilia of his love. Of course, there is a competitor ...

This movie is a fine example of the amalgamation of Hollywood's hey-day and Chinese ideals. There is no sex, no foul language, the story is simple and beautiful, and full of Chinese values.

It follows a blind and dumb actor who dies, and is granted five days in which he can see, and speak, but no one will recognize him. The performance of the male lead is magical. His facial expressions and mannerisms light up the movie, and the female lead matches his enthusiasm perfectly. The music in the movie is superb, and launches the viewer into a place and time of beauty and substance.

Although the English subtitles are misspelled through most of the film, I (a native English speaker from America), and all the Chinese friends who were watching with me were moved to tears. I recommend it to anyone of any nationality.

The movie itself was quite touching, however, the plot was still vague. Onion (Richie Ren) interprets a blind man, and does a good job, as well as the nurse (Cecilia Cheung). But the movie itself lacks many effects, and shows an empty scenario. However, the main actors did quite an accomplished job. Acting as blind when you can actually see is rather a difficult task, just as Richie did. But for the love plot, let's not expect too much. In my opinion, the movie was interesting, but lacks too many points, and it's a comedy rather than a love story.