DVD Hong Kong Wide Sight Region 0 95 minutes Directed by Herman Yau Written by Herman Yau Yeung Yee Shan With Nick Cheung Candy Lo Kenny Bee Cecilia Yip Available to purchase at HKFlix.com 
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Home | Upcoming | Reviews | In Cinemas | Links | Features | Editorials | Search R E V I E W Happy Family (2002) Mention Herman Yau Lai To, and "romantic comedy" is about the last genre he would be associated with. He is better known as the director of nasty, Category III films such as The Untold Story and Ebola Syndrome. But he is also the director behind the Troublesome Night series of horror films, as well as the excellent social drama From the Queen to the Chief Executive. This film opened in Hong Kong cinemas at the beginning of March 2002. MOVIE Plot: The Han family is wealthy and successful. "Small" Han, the son, runs the family business. He falls in love with Kaka, a new employee, and soon they are planning marriage. However, long-held family secrets threaten to tear their relationship apart. Performances: Nick Cheung Ka Fai was adequate as "Small" Han, if not exactly electrifying. Candy Lo Hau-Yam was quite fine as Kaka, her first lead role (her past supporting parts include Time and Tide, Funeral March, and Tiramisu). Kenny Bee and Cecilia Yip Tung brought energy to their parts as Mr. and Mrs. Han. Also in the cast are Amanda Lee (as Kaka's mother), Almen Wong (as a writer hired to tell the story of the Han family), Tats Lau, Fennie Yuen, and Simon Loui. Several film directors also have amusing cameos, including Herman Yau and Alfred Cheung. Production: The crucial plot twist is one of those contrived, only-in-the-movies type of twist. It hinges upon "Small" Han not telling his intended bride, Kaka, the reason why he suddenly breaks up with her. Any credulity the story might have had, which is already strained to the breaking point by the swiftness of their courtship (basically a one-night drunken affair), is sacrificed on the altar of cheap laughs. Cheap laughs are not to be entirely discounted. Individual sequences could be taken out of the movie and admired for their direction and performances (for example, when the two estranged lovebirds carry on a conversation whilst heading in opposite directions on adjoining escalators). Overall, though, it feels like a valiant effort to overcome a weak script (co-written by director Herman Yau Lai To) on a low budget. Comedy is extremely subjective, of course, so you may enjoy this ramshackle effort much more than I did, especially if you enjoy a mirthful view of suicide, depression, and incest. Puccini Yu served as director of photography; Mak Jan Hung composed the enjoyable musical score; Choi Hung edited the film. Rating: Category IIB for adult themes. DVD Look: Average. It looks a bit washed out - black levels are not very deep, colors are not well saturated, flesh tones look a bit off. The source print displayed some wear and tear. Sound: The stereo Cantonese audio track was adequate, but seems to have been recorded at a very low level, since a distinct hiss can be heard during some quieter scenes. Also included is a stereo Mandarin dubbed track. Subtitles: Very irritating. The burned-in (non-removable) white Chinese and English subtitles were often impossible to read, disappearing into the background. The translation was a bit rough and difficult to comprehend at times. Features: A Chinese-language only "Introduction" is provided (presumably this is a synopsis). Six chapters can be selected from a still-frame menu. No extras are included, not even a trailer. RECOMMENDATION A comedy that tries hard but comes up short, especially on the romantic side of things. Home | Upcoming | Reviews | In Cinemas | Links | Features | Editorials | Search |