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R E V I E W
Love au Zen
Universe / 2001 / 96 minutes
Directed by Derek Chiu Sung-Kei
Written by Raymond To Kwok-WaiWith Flora Chan Wai Wai Shan, Andrew Lin Hoi, Annie Wu Chen-Chun, Poon Chan Leung
B A C K G R O U N D : director, in cinemas, recent and related films
Derek Chiu Sung-Kei began his directorial career with the comedy Pink Bomb in 1993, followed by the 1994 drama Mr. Sardine, Oh! My Three Guys in 1995 (from a script by Raymond To Kwok-Wai), and the 1996 drama The Log. He made his first film for Milkway Image Productions with producer Johnnie To Kei-Fung in 1997, namely, Final Justice. He directed another script written by Raymond To Kwok-Wai in 1998 (Ah Fai, The Dumb). Sealed With a Kiss came in late 1999, and Comeuppance in November 2000. None of these films set the box office on fire, but he does seem to be carving out his own niche of fine-crafted work. Scripter Raymond To Kwok-Wai adapted his own 1996 stage play.
The film played briefly in Hong Kong cinemas in February 2001, grossing a meager HK $62,185.00.
M O V I E : plot, performances, production, rating
Plot: Sau disappears one day from his busy life as a Hong Kong securities trader and reappears devoted to learning about a new way of life from former schoolmate Chi Yuan. Naturally this unannounced change affects his long-time love Siu Jing and their mutual best friends Cheng and Mila. The four come together again, but the changed circumstances have an effect upon each of their relationships.
Performances: Beautifully modulated acting from each of the five main players adds immensely to enjoyment of the story. Poon Chan Leung portrays Sau, Flora Chan Wai Wai Shan plays the multifaceted Jing, Ko Hon Man centers the film as Chi Yuan, Andrew Lin Hoi is the somewhat confused Cheng, and Annie Wu Chen-Chun keeps a lid on the potential for being overly cute as Mila.
Production: Here's a case where a measured, unhurried pace is perfectly in harmony with the tale being told. In fact, it highlights the virtures of the well-written script, which is in love with ideas and the effect they have on people and the way they lead their lives. The cinematography by Tony Cheung Tung-Leung is beautiful both in the city scenes and in the many lush countryside sequences. The musical score by Chan Sau-Pok stands out for the polyrhythmic percussion and melodic, tropical tones.
Rating: Category IIA. A couple of briefly bare (male) backsides, and probably some dialogue, but nothing that jumped out at me from one viewing.
D V D : look, sound, subtitles, features
Look: The letterboxed (approximately 1.85:1) presentation looks excellent. Black tones are appropriately deep, colors saturated, and flesh tones look good in the many daylit exterior scenes. Some wear is evident on the source print.
Sound: The DD 5.1 Cantonese soundtrack is very pleasant to listen to and includes modest use of the surround channels. Also available is a DD 5.1 Mandarin audio version.
Subtitles: The white removable English subtitles are easy to read but have a number of mistakes that are evident throughout, which is occasionlly distracting since so much of the film's charms are based on the dialogue. Traditional and simplified Chinese subtitles are also provided.
Features: Eight chapters can be selected from a video-capture menu. Stars' files are included for Andrew Lin, Annie Wu, and producer Clifton Ko. The film's original theatrical trailer is included, as is a 10-minute "Making Of" feature that includes interviews and a little behind-the-scenes footage, but no English subtitles.
R E C O M M E N D A T I O N : buy, rent, or pass?
Rent. Evocative, sweet, and thoughtful romantic drama with some welcome light touches.
(Reviewed 08/02/01)
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