User reviews

The beauty of Xin Dong is in its understated portrayal of first love - just a simple story of an ordinary boy and girl, and the events that happen years after their heady adolescent love runs its course. It's not always a happy film, but neither is it a sad one; kind of like life, really. Some poignant touches sets this film apart from the many others of the same genre, and the celluloid-perfect leads play their roles surprisingly well, especially Gigi Leung as the innocent and slightly gawky Hsiao-rou. It's uneven though, with some unnecessary scenes that greatly slow down the pace of the movie. But then comes the absolutely classic ending, one of those that make your heart ache for that moment, and which you remember for a long time to come.

A female director (Chang) decides to make a autobiographical film on her love life and we see it through the use of flashbacks and brilliant intercutting. Leung plays the younger Chang as she goes through a relationship with Kaneshiro which spans 3 decades. Tender and touching, the film is filled with memorable scenes and lines as it follows the couple through the meandering river that is love. An unforgettable film especially for those who have been in love before....the finale will definitely wet many eyes.

I really like the film and have become a fan of takeshi because of it. The ambiance of the movie and the cinematography is quite nice. The flashbacks are well position as not to let the viewer be confused. Gigi Leung gave a good performance in it. But still there is something missing somewhere. At the end of the movie, I feel somewhat dissatisfied. The motives of the characters (of their actions) are not truly explored. I finished the movie asking myself "did I somehow fall asleep sometime during the movie and miss the integral part of it?"

Plot: A bunch of screenwriter (William So, Jo Koo and Sylvia Chang) want to make a movie about young romance. It was a semi-autobiography of Sylvia Chang love life. Who is play by the beautiful Gigi Leung, her best friend is Karen Mok. At the beginning we find out both of them fall in love with Ho-Jun (Play by the also handsome Takeshi Kaneshiro) in High School. Well Gigi Leung win the heart of Ho-Jun who plays the guitar, talked very little and hang out in parties together. Has time past a couple of things is reveal (which i don't want to spoil you guys).

I didn't like this movie at all, i found it to be boring and very slow. The plot didn't interested me at all (probably because i'm not into romance movie). Nothing there in the movie that really grab me and let me eagerly wanting to see the next scene. The only thing i find it appealing is the ending and the screenwriter scene that analysis the current love romance. I think the stars in this movie acted wonderful and convincing on their role respectively.

I can image people liking this movie because some part of the movie (like the threesome you thought it was but instead it is reverse), but i don't like the storytelling the directing and especially the plot.