R E V I E W :   He's a Woman, She's a Man

Reviewed 4/30/01 | Background | Movie Review | DVD Review | Recommendation

Background 

Fitto Mobile / 1994 / 106 minutes
Directed by Peter Chan Hoh-San
Written by James Yuen Sai-Sang

Peter Chan Hoh-San co-founded the United Filmworkers Organisation (UFO) production company in 1992. Before that, his ost notable credit may have been as producer of John Woo's Heroes Shed No Tears (which was initially shelved and finally saw release after the success of A Better Tomorrow). His first film as director was the romantic drama Alan and Eric: Between Hello and Goodbye in 1991. He also directed Tom, Dick and Hairy and He Ain't Heavy, He's My Father in 1993.

The film enjoyed an extended run in Hong Kong cinemas (late July to mid September 1994) and earned HK $29 million.

Chan's subsequent directorial outings were the 1996 triumvirate of The Age of Miracles, Who's the Woman, Who's the Man (this film's sequel), and Comrades, Almost a Love Story. Recently he produced Twelve Nights. Yuen has written or co-written 11 films since this film, became a director in 1997, and most recently made the enjoyable Clean My Name, Mr. Coroner!

Movie: plot, performances, production, rating

Plot: Sam Koo is a famed songwriter/producer best known for turning unknowns into stars. He is also known for falling in love with his female protégées, growing bored with the romance, and moving on to his next discovery. Recently he has been showing signs of restlessness in his relationship with Rose, a popular and award-winning singer. He longs to move to Africa and spend time learning about other cultures and peoples. On the other hand, Rose enjoys her material success and their lifestyle just the way it is. For a change, and to avoid falling in love with another protégée, Sam decides to try his hand at turning an ordinary man into a star. Enter the couple's #1 fan, Wing. Only problem: Wing is a woman. But with the help of her friend Yu Lo, Wing passes as a man for the audition and ends up with a recording contract with Sam. Complications ensue, however, when the avowedly-heterosexual Sam finds himself falling in love with Wing (still posing as a man); Rose also pursues Wing, and the fun begins.

Performances: Leslie Cheung Kwok-Wing burns brightly as the talented but torn Sam Koo. Carina Lau Ka-Ling as Rose brings unexpected poignancy to the role, a woman who initially appears quite vain but eventually reveals recognizable insecurities. Anita Yuen Wing-Yee is both appealing and beguiling as the often-bewildered Wing, giving a nice contrast and depth to her character. She seems to have pursued the recording contract not to become a star but just to have the opportunity to spend time in company of her beloved idols Sam and Rose. Providing pleasant support are Eric Tsang Chi-Wai as Auntie, an openly gay stylist and Sam's closest confidant and Jordan Chan Siu-Chun (in just his second film role) as Yu Lo, who teaches Wing how to act like a man (I will never look at glow sticks the same again).

Production: The first third of the film is a bit unevenly paced as the mechanics of the plot are set in motion in (mostly) routine ways by the script. Thereafter the story takes off and the performances draw the viewer in tightly. The music skillfully alternates between classicial music and romantic popular songs. Despite the music scene settings, the production keeps to just a few locations while conveying a glamorous life style in contrast with the run-of-the-mill ordinary people.

Rating: Category II. Several sexual situations (each diffused by humor); profanity.

DVD: look, sound, subtitles, and features

Look: The letterboxed (1.85:1) presentation is uneven. Most of the time the images appear to be soft and a bit overdeveloped. Yet certain scenes look extremely sharp. As a result, the black levels and color vibrancy vary throughout the running time. Flesh tones do not stand out as accurate.

Sound: The DD 5.1 Cantonese audio track is unremarkable. For a film that relies so heavily on music to communicate with the viewer, it's disappointing to be so underwhelmed and to hear such a limited soundfield. Also on board is a DD 5.1 Mandarin track.

Subtitles: The burned-on (non-removable) Chinese and English subtitles are a major disappointment. The problem is not the usual suspect (obvious spelling and grammar errors) but the white lettering: it often disappears into white backgrounds, sometimes runs off the side of the screen, and often first appears too low on the screen before being shifted upwards. All these problems mean the viewer must often guess what is being said.

Features: Only six chapter selections can be made from a video-clip menu. A Chinese-language only "Introduction" presumably provides some kind of overview of the film. No features are provided.

Buy, rent, or pass?

Rent -- I would recommend a purchase were it not for the lackluster quality of the DVD. After watching the first hour a couple of weeks ago I was not overly impressed. Watching the entire movie again, however, its merits became much more obvious. It is not the type of film that walks up to you and introduces itself as a deeply-felt romantic comedy, but that's what it turns out to be. Multiple viewings will likely prove rewarding.

 

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