Tin sang yat dui

Meaningful, but rather ordinary...

2 Become 1 can so easily be yet another romantic comedy that Miriam Yeung and Richie Ren are making over and over again, but this flick produced by award winning director Johnny To adds a certain flair of beast cancer - making this somewhat different. While Miriam Yeung can almost bring a laughter or two, the movie is once again too generic along with a simple storyline making this flick all too familiar if not for the issue that it is trying to tackle. There are enough charming moments and carefree fun within the film, but ultimately the feeling is nothing special and absolutely forgettable in Neo's honest opinion.

The issue of breast cancer is ultimately relevant in our society as increasingly the numbers are raising like a rocket shooting into the endless space. It is timely and fittingly that a HK movie expands upon this neglected issue. Cancer is a serious matter and especially when it comes to the woman's body part - beast - the effects on the victim can be immensely damaging in both the emotional and physical state of the long and short term. Miriam Yeung plays that exact victim as she go through a phrase of reluctance to accept the fact and the conflict it created to a workaholic like herself. Perhaps it ties in well with an emerging singer - Justin Lo who ironically is denied by Miriam for a singing opportunity, but is ultimately the one that true inspired her to accept the reality. There are downs in life, but just as Eason Chan's Crazy N the City so clearly implies those memorable lines - the future is for the brave.

Miriam Yeung put in yet another sleep walking performance, where she isn't really require to do much more than her previous roles. She is entertaining nonetheless and a fitting role for Yeung - especially her cheerful and laughing lover image which contradicts the beast cancer victim she is playing. Richie Ren is once again very much himself and nothing more. Two words - adequately done. Justin Lo appears as an inspiration figure which seems to juxtapose his singing career which took almost 10 years in the industry before his talents are finally embraced.

2 Become 1 isn't the most exciting movie around, but really there isn't much flaws and hardly causes a bit of boredom. So why isn't this movie a two thumbs up one? That really beats me, maybe it is because I have seen too much ROM COM or seen Miriam and Richie in the same roles far too often, but ultimately the movie isn't original and truthfully it doesn't break any new grounds. It is likable and the issues discussed are relevant, but ultimately it isn't heartfelt and so making 2 Become 1 a pretty forgettable though fun movie to watch.

I rate it 7.5/10

• www.thehkneo.com

Bingo Cheung is a sassy, smart-mouthed advertising executive. Nothing fazes this girl. Even when she discovers that she must lose her breast to cancer, she flips a coin and gives herself the options "Tails, cured. Heads, all cured". She is a determined optimist. And fooling herself.

The problem is Bingo finds it hard to let go. She carries a 7 year old pager in the hope her ex-boyfriend will contact her. He does. With cancer, she is terrified of losing her femininity and her future. It takes love and Dr V to help her understand how much she wants to live.

Packed with laughs and lots of story, we become immersed in all facets of Bingo's life. It is both hilarious and heart-breaking as she learns that a positive attitude also requires positive actions.

I love this movie. I know it's formulaic but I loved the way the story unfolded. The lead characters seemed as if they all knew each other and they played well together. It wasn't the best cinematography but the story moved on rather well. Every time I felt like pausing the Netflix movie, it went to another surprising sub plot that I sort of didn't see coming. The religion solution was a pleasant twist as well. I think the simplistic way of portraying the emotional ride a cancer patient was tastefully done and is universal. My favorite part was the car suicide scene. It made me laugh and I am usually very cynical about forgetful scenes like that. Instead it drew me into the heart of the love affair. I think this is a great movie to sit down and watch with a significant other.