Yau Lung Hei Fung
2009 / 117m - Hong Kong
Romance
2.5*/5.0*
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May 25, 2013

2.5*/5.0*

A straight-up rom-com. As much as I like Shu Qi, fans of Hong Kong romcoms know that there's no better onscreen couple than Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng. The bigger problem is the excess of drama that is unleashed in the second half of the film though, which really drags down the mood. A good rom-com needs some drama, but it has to be balanced.

Sam is a wealthy bachelor. Many women are interested, but he has a hard time finding the right one. His first three marriages failed, but he can't give up on love. Then he meets Milan, a young woman who works in a casino. Sam and Milan fall in love and things seem to be going well. Once they're married though, their relationship begins to show the first cracks.

The first hour is solid. Andy Lau can do this kind of thing with his eyes closed, Qi doesn't have much trouble playing the love interest either, but there isn't that much sparkle. The second half should've been cut down or shortened, as a more streamlined film would've been better. In the end, it's not a terrible film, but it's a bit of a sappy blockbuster that isn't quite as good as its cast and crew would suggest.