R E V I E W

Funeral March

Universe  |  2001  |  97 minutes
Directed by Joe Ma Wai Ho
Written by Joe Ma Wai Ho, Chan Gam Kuen, Chan Wing Sun

With Eason Chan, Charlene Choi

B A C K G R O U N D
director, in cinemas, recent and related films

Joe Ma Wai Ho is the writer and director of many films, mostly lightweight romantic comedies about the twenty-something generation. Co-writer Chan Wing Sun also contributed to Feel 100% II, Horror Hotline…Big Head Monster, and Dummy Mommy Without a Baby (the first and third directed by Ma, and the second produced by Ma).

The film opened in Hong Kong cinemas at the end of September 2001 and played for nearly a month. It grossed HK $3.4 million.

Subsequently Ma directed the successful comedy Dummy Mommy Without a Baby.

M O V I E

plot
A woman with cancer is changed forever due to her relationship with a funeral director.

performances / production
Because the subject matter of the film (cancer and issues as to its medical treatments - or refusal thereof) hits a little too close to home for me personally, I don't believe I can be completely objective. But here are some thoughts on the story told in this wonderful-looking, thoughtful film that is really not my cup of tea.

Charlene Choi plays Yee, a woman with cancer who wants to arrange her own funeral. She has decided not to undergo an operation to remove cancerous tissues in her intestine. (It is hinted that she has already been through radiation treatment, although I don't believe this is explicitly stated.) Her family is not happy with her decision.

At a funeral, Yee notices the handsome funeral director, Duan (Eason Chan). She later approaches him and requests that he make the arrangements for her. Initially he refuses to do so, rather piously informing her that she should be positive, pursue all roads of treatment, etc.

Eventually, though, he acquiesces, only to find that Yee wants him to accompany her on a trip to America (her sister and another male family member -- her brother or brother-in-law -- also go along). One of her first stops is to visit the grave of her mother, who died six years previously by driving her car into a lake (whether it was an accident or a suicide was never determined).

Despite the fact that Duan is stiff, impersonal, and self-righteous, we surmise that Yee is attracted to his good looks and wants to pursue a romantic relationship with him. Yet on the trip she looks up her boyfriend (apparently that's who it is) and asks if he would be willing to do anything she asked of him (meaning spend time with her). His answer disappoints her (he wants to also pursue his own interests at the same time). It seems she now has competely given up on life.

Not feeling well, her sister wants to take her to a hospital. Upon arrival, Yee does not want to go in (previously she had resisted taking medication). After pretending to agree with her, Duan proceeds to sweep her up in his arms and runs into the hospital with her, insisting that she receive treatment.

Still sullen, she rebuffs the thought of the supposed life-saving operation. One brief conversation with Duan, however, in which he tells her that she should have the operation to spite her stepmother, convinces her to return to Hong Kong and go under the knife.

As the movie progresses, and Duan takes certain actions in regard to his relationship with Yee and his own life, I felt that these twists and turns were not consistent with how Duan dealt with Yee's situation. In fact, it seemed rather hypocritical, and this seriously damaged the film. After all, for the story to work as a tearjerker, Duan needs to be viewed as a noble and self-sacrificing man. Eason Chan Yik Sun, though, was entirely unmoving and unconvincing as Duan, at least for me.

On the other hand, Charlene Choi Cheuk-Yin (one half of the musical group Twins) was rather touching as Yee. Rounding out the cast in very persuasive performances were Pauline Yam Bo Lam as Yee's stepmother Pansy, Sheila Chan Suk Laan as Yee's sister Elsa, Kenneth Tsang Kong as Yee's father, and Liu Kai Chi as Duan's brother.

The lovely music was composed by Lincoln Lo Kin (12 films during 2001). The director of photography (gorgeous and lush) was Ko Chiu Lam (The Magic Crane, Green Snake, Expect the Unexpected, Time and Tide). The editor was Cheung Ka Fai (every film that's ever been made in Hong Kong since 1989, including nine films during 2001).

rating
Category I. No violence, profanity, or sexual situations.

D V D

look
The letterboxed presentation looks good. The black levels are deep and the colors, though a bit muted (probably the intention of the filmmakers), appear saturated. The flesh tones rarely look natural, sometimes overly red and sometimes overly yellow; again, this may have been intentional. The source print looked quite clean.

sound
Three options are provided: Cantonese stereo, Cantonese DD 5.1, and Mandarin DD 5.1. I listened to the Cantonese DD 5.1 track and it sounded very good, with good use of the surround channels and even some solid bass emanating from the LFE channel.

subtitles
The font of the white removable English subtitles is a little large, but the titles themselves get the job done. Also included are traditional and simplified Chinese subtitles.

features
Eight chapters can be selected from a video-capture menu. Stars' files are provided (in both Chinese and English) for Eason Chan, Charlene Choi, and Joe Ma. The original theatrical trailer is included. "Deleted scenes" total about 15 minutes; most of these are extensions of scenes in the film; Cantonese audio only is provided, with no subtitles.

R E C O M M E N D A T I O N
buy, rent, or pass?

Pass, in my opinion, for highly personal reasons. Others may enjoy the experience and find it worh a rental.

(Reviewed 01/10/02)

THIS DVD IS AVAILABLE AT HKFLIX.COM