R E V I E W

Merry-Go-Round

Deltamac  |  2001 |  93 minutes
Directed by Thomas Chow
Written by GC Goo-Bi

With Lawrence Chou, Rainie Yang, Zeny Kwok, and Eric Tsang Chi-Wai

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

Scripter GC Goo-B (who is also a radio disc jockey) previously co-wrote and acted in 1999's acclaimed Cross Harbour Tunnel. The only credits I can identify for Thomas Chow are as an assistant director for such films as Centre Stage, City of Glass, and Rumble Ages. The latter two films were also made under the aegis of UFO (United Filmmakers Organisation), as is this one.

The film opened in Hong Kong cinemas in September 2001.

M O V I E

plot
During the summer school break, Mr. Kuk opens the Kuk Assorted Noodle Shop with the assistance of his two children, a teenage boy (Fung) and a young girl (Cocoa). The shop is available only on a two-month lease, and Kuk has difficulty finding his footing as a cook and attracting customers.

Carlily, the niece of the former proprietor, stops by out of curiousity and quickly draws the romantic interest of Fung, although he can't stand her feisty sister Heman. Meanwhile, Cocoa spends time with Locust, a young boy who lives with his grandmother in extremely modest surroundings. Will the relationships survive longer than the noodle shop?

performances
The film belongs to Lawrence Chou Jun-Wai as Fung (good, but lacking the nuances to be great), Rainie Yang as Carlily (post-synched dialogue undercuts her role a bit), and Zeny Kwok as Heman. The stand-out here is probably Zeny Kwok; when she moves to center stage of the story (albeit briefly) she does so in a way that appears natural and not showy.

In a supporting role, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai is fine as the father figure (although his nasty "now you seen them now you don't" forehead bruises -- reportedly the result of a beating he took during off hours -- is slightly distracting). Helena Law Lan distingushes her screen time (playing another grandmother role) with her usual quiet dignity. Yuki Lai and Darren Cheng (as Cocoa and Locus) are not too memorable, but I hate to pick too much on child actors. You can also look for singer/actress Kelly Chen Wai-Lam in a funny cameo as Fung's previous girlfriend.

production
The film begins as a refreshingly bright and snappy summer comedy about a family running a noodle shop. Soon enough, however, the romance between Fung and Carlily steers the tale into too-familiar territory and bogs everything down with extended depictions of their idyllic play. The scenes are depicted with a certain amount of charm, but they still slowed the pace to a crawl.

It's too bad, because the original set-up (involving all three members of the family) has plenty of potential for both comic and romantic adventures and is never fully exploited. In other words, more time with the father --what type of work did he do before? why is he willing to take such a chance on a two-month lease? -- would have helped ground the film in a broader-based reality.

Several achingly heartfelt and beautifully filmed sequences almost make up for the missed opportunities, but by that point the viewer's patience has already been severely tested. In fact, this may be a DVD that is best watched in two sittings.

As a personal aside, I would have been happier if the relationship between Cocoa and Locust had been snipped out entirely -- it's entirely too cute and nauseating to see pre-teens enacting any sort of "romantic" scenarios. It would have been much more believable and effective if they had been "just friends" -- and if the friendship were used as a device to explore the social differences between the two youngsters.

Thomas Chow's direction Chan Chi Ying photographed the proceedings with lovely lighting and Ronald Ng's musical score is pleasant in a children's story way (emphasis on electric piano). Azrael Chung did an astute job as editor, and the fine art direction is credited to Peter Wong.

rating
Category I. No sex, violence, or profanities.

D V D

look
The letterboxed (approximately 1.85:1) presentation is very good. Colors look well saturated, black tones are deep, and flesh tones appear natural. The source print is very clean.

sound
The DD 2.0 Cantonese audio track is very pleasant and adequate to the task of this character-driven story. Also included is a DD 2.0 Mandarin track.

subtitles
The white (with black backing) removable English subtitles were very easy to read and well timed. Only a few misspellings are noticeable. Also included are traditional and simplified Chinese subtitles.

features
Ten chapters can be selected from a two-page video capture menu. The film's original theatrical trailer is included.

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

Rent. Although it doesn't live up to its potential or explore the possibilites inherent in the situations it creates, this is still a pleasant viewing experience with an attractive performance by newcomer Zeny Kwok.

(Reviewed 12/06/01)

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