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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

A warm, sweet film about the love between a simple man and a shy young woman adjusting to life outside her family and upbringing. Very understated with many touching and funny moments.

A young woman named Jennifer leaves Hong Kong to study in the USA with her boyfriend. Upon her arrival she meets "Figurehead", who is watching out for his "4th aunt's 13th cousin". Jennifer is cultured and refined, 180 degrees away from Figgy as he is called, a former sailor who is now a waiter in Chinatown. Though he is crude and uncouth he is faithful and kind, unlike Jennifer's cheating boyfriend.

After seeing her through homesickness, a bit of culture shock and a broken heart, Figgy falls for Jennifer... but of course there are complications and that's basically what this movie is about: the complexities of love.

Chow Yun-Fat gives a great performance as Figgy - while he is often lauded for his action roles, he is under-appreciated as a dramatic and comedic actor. Cherie Chung is superlative as usual.

This film won Best Picture at the Hong Kong Film Awards in 1988, and Chow and Chung were both nominated as Best Actor and Actress, respectively.

A beautifully shot film, directed with style and humanity. Good for the entire family.

A beautiful love story. Shot entirely on location in NYC. Chow Yun Fat, as a gambling slacker, falls in love with his recently jilted distant cousin, Jennifer. The plot is relatively simple, with a predictable O'Henry-ish twist, but the power of this movie comes from the details.

Chow Yun Fat, in a completely different mode from his action films, is subtle, vulnerable, and amazing. Just watching his expression shifting from elation to despair as the camera lingers on his face is heart-breaking.

The direction isn't flashy, but a few shots make very good use of the NYC locale: the sight of CYF running through the graffiti-covered streets, skipping with happiness, is contrasted by him dejectedly strolling while an endless line of taxicabs file past him. And as the title suggests, the autumn season is effectively evoked.

The movie is a bit old, so the wardrobe/hairstyles look dated. Also, the quality of the picture & general production value leaves something to be desired. Will disappoint CYF fans who are used to seeing him just be ultra-cool. But well worth the effort. (Also, you do get to see ultra-cool CYF in the final scene.)

The action-coolness of Chow probably eclipses his real talent -- the subtle detail he's able to deliver. Imagine without the well-portrayed chemistry between him and Jennifer, the movie will degrade to "just another boy-meet-girl" flick. He's the magic. Chery Chun was mostly a "vase" (albeit a pretty one :) I guess the director is the magician who delivered.

Two points to add -- (1) I believed the director herself studied in NYU (where Jennifer studied), and it is amazing how well she captured the feelings of those who study in the US from HK (typical in those days were financial stress, part time jobs, crucial peer support and cover-up of difficulties from parents). She also presented NYC in no less passion than Woody Allen (who's cited in the movie itself), except she beautified the poor-men's share and perhaps cast doubt on the rich (though with much sweetness).

(2) Most of the movie is simple and easily appreciated. But those who know Cantonese get a real bonus. In fact, Chow Yun Fat started out in TV shows, making himself cool and noticeable via his unconventional and memorable use of the language -- everything he said would be fashion for long long time (some of those terms he invented are still being used). So, the exact things he said were cute-cool-classic quotes, again, at least among the generations growing up watching him. It was unfortunate that back in those days, foreign movies were not as well publicized and received in the western world, so that his move to Hollywood was necessary for him to reach out to a wider audience. I have not seen him cast meaningfully since then :(

Excellent acting, was worth watching just to see Chow Yun Fat's talents. This being the first movie I've seen him without a weapon. Certainly something worth watching.

Good Story, very realistic.

Cinematography needed improvement.