Da cheng xiao shi

Normally a movie will take you from the moment two people meet. It will show you how they came to know each other better, why they fell in love, and maybe what broke them up. Interestingly this movie dispenses with the stuff that most romantic movies devote celluloid to, leaving us with the story of a breakup.

It doesn't exactly start at the moment of breakup. To be precise there is a one-minute truck scene. The truck is loaded with produce at a farm and begins its transit when morning breaks. Colors sweep the sky ever-changing as the truck negotiates lanes, roads, highways and bridges. Night falls, and then the impact of metal on metal causes several potatoes and a couple of onions to roll on an asphalt highway. Then Leon Lai and Faye Wong break up. Actually they broke up no longer than a second ago. If you like what you just read, you might just like Leaving Me, Loving You.

The movie has more picture-perfect scenes than several movies combined. This is its strongest point: it's a visual extravaganza. Visit Shanghai without breaking the bank. Find out for yourself that an apartment with a lavender ceiling looks wonderful with pink, yellow and green walls. Look straight into a frescoed dome that lords over a fantastic museum. Check out what Faye Wong and Leon Lai are wearing (what shirt goes with that green vest; which shoes match this and that skirt perfectly). And the script was all right too. Some good acting, lots of interesting locations, more than enough silence… let's just move on to the rough patches.

What's with Moon River? It's so identified with Breakfast at Tiffany's any movie without an allusion to it opens up a hole. And who could get past this movie without cringing every time 'Loving You' was played? It's easy because you're beautiful… (cringe) La la la la la, la la la la la, la la la la la la la la la la la... (cringe) And when you find out why they broke up (it includes 'too much sex') you'll sit up and wonder, really? You two could have fooled me! It's one of those problems you can pin on either the director or the scriptwriter, it's hard to tell. But if you want to blame the actor and producer, the fact that Leon Lai is both should save you the trouble of choosing your target.

Overall, if you already know the secrets of the universe, discovered your purpose in life and have two-hours to spare it won't hurt to see this movie. For the rest of us who end up wearing our slippers on the wrong feet in the middle of the night, you'll have to figure this out (secrets, purpose, whether or not to watch).

First the movie was speaking in mandarin because of the Shanghai location, so there is some horrible dubbing. Especially the supporting roles (like Leon Lai assistance). Second, the movie goes at a slow pace and no chemistry between Leon Lai and Faye Wong didn't help the film either. There are some good things about film, like the setting are nice, the lack of unnecessary dialogue and the perfect sound which fit the film. This movie seems like a Wong Kar Wai styles but nothing compare to it. There not much happening in this movie, also i don't see the connection between Leon Lai romance with his Man patience (except a few small things). The acting was alright, there play there character respectfully. I've notices there not many extras is in this film and there seems to be too much of the same character (like the mailman). The film was not totally bad, but it was boring to say the least.

The plot of this film isn't too bad, but sadly what lets it down is the lack of depth. Leaving Me, Loving You tells of a doctor (Leon Lai) who breaks up with his event planner girlfriend (Faye Wong) but regrets his decision. In the following days, they both get recruited by the family of an elderly, but wealthy, businessman, he to check on his ailing health, she to plan for his birthday. Thrusted reluctantly into each others' lives so soon, he faces the fact that he was wrong to break up with her.

The concept may be clichéd (but then, when is a love story on screen not), but there is enough interest generated by the creativity of how the film was made that would impress. There are some beautifully used camera angles, gorgeous sets (particularly from the leafy streets of Shanghai, to Siu Yut's office) and a good arrangement of music (with possibly the exception of the overuse of the classic Moon River throughout) which all made it very watchable, but I found myself watching the film wanting more to happen between the two main characters than really did.

Many have criticised the lack of chemistry between the two actors, but my own view is that there were simply not enough scenes in the script to allow the characters' relationship to develop. Most scenes involving the two together involve just Siu Yut wanting to not speak to him and she leaves or he leaves. Not exactly much for one's emotion to build on. The relationship between the two is just not explored enough in the script. Indeed, we never get to really fully understand why they broke up in the first place, except that things 'were going too fast'.

Ultimately, though, it is a watchable film, and I've given it higher marks for artistic value. But it does lack in the storyline department, and for the guy who took his girlfriend out on Valentine's Day to see this movie, I sympathise, as this isn't quite a story that celebrates love.

One for sappy ones



*DVD Comments* The HK DVD from Widesight contains the Mandarin original audio track as well as a dubbed version in Cantonese. However, the subtitles in Traditional Chinese and English are etched on screen (so you can't turn them off), and there are no extras on the DVD. Expect to find this film in your Bargain Basement, otherwise you'll be paying far too much for it compared to other titles

This film is directed by Wilson Yip, which stars Leon Lai (he also co-wrote the story for this film), and Faye Wong. This romantic drama was overall satisfying and enjoyable. However, it is at times confusing to follow what is going on exactly, and as well some of the events in the story seem to add nothing to the movie.

The story is interesting, and you can tell they were trying to do something different for this film. Faye Wong plays a party planner named Xin Xiaoyue who breaks up with an outpatient doctor Zhou Qian, which is played by Leon Lai. Trying to forget each other and continue on with their professions, they end up meeting again. Xiaoyue gets a job to plan a birthday party for an elderly rich man, and due to his health, she has to approve of all her plans by the family doctor. Zhou Qian just so happens to be the family doctor. Which begins the story of resealing their love and affection for each other.

The movie also shines in the art department. You've got beautiful scenery shots of Shanghai, and as well for Faye fans, you've got Faye Wong on screen. The music is also really well done for this movie, and the soundtrack is very appropriate for this film.

This movie is really a hit or miss for most people, but I happened to like it quite a lot. It'll gulp you into it's world and swallow you. Thumbs up.

This review will contain no spoilers, as there actual events or incidents of any note or interest take place throughout the film. Instead, your senses are gradually numbed by cliché after cliché and a soundtrack that makes elevator muzak sound like Handel's Messiah. Leon Lai takes the lead role and proves his acting chops are even less credible than his non existent vocal "talents", and the remarkable lack of chemistry between himself and Faye Wong utterly tears the bottom out of this already rather unseaworthy love Boat. Good points about the film ? Leon's driver in the film steals every scene he is in by default, as he isn't quite as unforgivably wooden as the stars of the show. There is an old man with a kind face. Rather a pathetic attempt at finding the film's merits I must admit, but the best I can do. So there you have it. A romantic drama without romance or drama. Starring an singing actor who can neither act nor sing. Script ? Screenplay ? I'm not sure they thought of that before they finished shooting. I went to see this film at a special valentine's day showing, but it made me seriously consider leaving my girlfriend, and going to live a hermit's existence in a cave just on the implausible offchance that anything in my future affairs of the heart might remind me of this seemingly everlasting dullathon.