I'm not an advocate of Mandarin movies, because most of the time they can get rather nonsensical and witless. However, once in a blue moon, a movie comes along that someone introduces to me and I was lucky to have the chance to watch it.
Yes, it is a rather old one from 1999 and it is a Mandarin/Cantonese film, and I got to watch the DVD in Cantonese, but hey, there are some lovely ones out there that nobody we don't know about and are not represented widely enough. Then again, I guess we tend to identify with romantic movies which touch our hearts better than others do.
This is a beautifully written and directed, romantic love-story, but it was done it a very abstract manner, in that scenes from the past, present and future were all intermixed and woven together like a tapestry to tell the entire story. Meaning, there could be a scene from when the characters were in the future, and then another from their past and then another in the present. It is up to you to figure out which period they were in and piece the movie together. There were times when I was confused, but in the end, all the questions were answered.
Not many movies make me cry, but this love triangle plot had such beauty in it, it told the human side of love and how close it comes to hitting home sometimes, you just cannot resist not feeling emotional when watching it.
Takeshi Kaneshiro stars as Ho-jun, a shy teenager who falls in love with Gigi Leung's character Xiao rou. Their relationship turns intimate but faces objections from their parents. Karen Mok plays Chen-li, the best friend of Gigi, whom Gigi confides in and tells all her problems.
This teenage love soon fizzled and Ho-jun turns to marry Chen-li. Chen-li then reveals that she and Ho-jun have been in love with the same girl Xiao rou. Xiao rou also gets married. She only later finds out that Ho-jun's wife is Chen-li, but only discovers this after Chen-li has died.
Chen-li left a message for Xiao rou, asking her for forgiveness. As Xiao rou prepared to fly back to Hong Kong from Japan, Ho-jun gives her a present. Inside the box were photographs, each taken when Ho-jun was thinking about Xiao-rou of their brief and bright moments of happiness.
What I loved most about this movie was this last scene, when she opens the box containing the photographs which were taken when Ho-jun was thinking about her. Who hasn't done that for their loved ones in one way or another? To capture a moment in time, through photography or otherwise, in which this same photo will trigger your memory of what you were actually thinking of at that moment in years to come.
Here is the love theme from the movie, also titled Tempting Heart, or Xin Dong. It is sung by Shino Lin Xiao Pei. Even if you don't know the lyrics, the music itself is really beautiful and touching. I've included the lyrics and the lose translation below.
This is a highly recommended movie for all romantics out there. The characters are believable and very easy to identify with and the acting is very powerful by the 3 lead actors.
9 out of 10 stars
Takeshi Kaneshiro stars as Ho-jun, a shy teenager who falls in love with Gigi Leung's character Xiao rou. Their relationship turns intimate but faces objections from their parents. Karen Mok plays Chen-li, the best friend of Gigi, whom Gigi confides in and tells all her problems.
This teenage love soon fizzled and Ho-jun turns to marry Chen-li. Chen-li then reveals that she and Ho-jun have been in love with the same girl Xiao rou. Xiao rou also gets married. She only later finds out that Ho-jun's wife is Chen-li, but only discovers this after Chen-li has died.
Chen-li left a message for Xiao rou, asking her for forgiveness. As Xiao rou prepared to fly back to Hong Kong from Japan, Ho-jun gives her a present. Inside the box were photographs, each taken when Ho-jun was thinking about Xiao-rou of their brief and bright moments of happiness.
What I loved most about this movie was this last scene, when she opens the box containing the photographs which were taken when Ho-jun was thinking about her. Who hasn't done that for their loved ones in one way or another? To capture a moment in time, through photography or otherwise, in which this same photo will trigger your memory of what you were actually thinking of at that moment in years to come.
Here is the love theme from the movie, also titled Tempting Heart, or Xin Dong. It is sung by Shino Lin Xiao Pei. Even if you don't know the lyrics, the music itself is really beautiful and touching. I've included the lyrics and the lose translation below.
This is a highly recommended movie for all romantics out there. The characters are believable and very easy to identify with and the acting is very powerful by the 3 lead actors.
9 out of 10 stars
You Duo Jiu Mei Jian Ni
(How long have I never seen you?)
Yin Wei Ni Zai Na Li
(I thought you were there)
Yuan Lai Jiu Zhu Zai Wo Xin Di
(In fact you're just deep inside my heart)
Pei Ban Zhe Wo De Hu Xi
(Accompanying my breath)
You Duo Yuan De Ju Li
(How far is the distance?)
Yi wei wen bu dao ni qi xi
(I thought I can't smell you)
Shui Zhi Dao Ni Bei Ying Zhe Me Chang
(Who knows your shadow is so long)
Hui tou jiu kan dao ni
(Once I turn around I see you)
Chorus:
Guo qu rang ta guo qu
(Let the past go)
Lai bu ji / Cong tou xi huan ni
(It's too late to love you from the start)
Bai yun chan rao zhe lan tian
(As if clouds are covering the blue sky)
Ru guo bu neng gou yong yuan dou zai yi qi
(If we can't be together forever)
Ye zhi shao gei wo men
(Give us at least)
Huai nian de yong qi
(the courage to miss)
Yong bao de quan li
(The right to hug)
Hao rang ni ming bai
(So that you understand)
Wo xin dong de hen ji
(The trace of my heart moving)
Zong shi xiang zai jian ni
(Always wish to see you again)
Hai shi zhe da tan ni xiao xi
(I even attempt to inquire your news)
Yuan lai ni jiu zhu zai wo de shen ti
(In fact you're just living in my body)
Shou zhu wo de hui yi
(Guarding my memories)
(How long have I never seen you?)
Yin Wei Ni Zai Na Li
(I thought you were there)
Yuan Lai Jiu Zhu Zai Wo Xin Di
(In fact you're just deep inside my heart)
Pei Ban Zhe Wo De Hu Xi
(Accompanying my breath)
You Duo Yuan De Ju Li
(How far is the distance?)
Yi wei wen bu dao ni qi xi
(I thought I can't smell you)
Shui Zhi Dao Ni Bei Ying Zhe Me Chang
(Who knows your shadow is so long)
Hui tou jiu kan dao ni
(Once I turn around I see you)
Chorus:
Guo qu rang ta guo qu
(Let the past go)
Lai bu ji / Cong tou xi huan ni
(It's too late to love you from the start)
Bai yun chan rao zhe lan tian
(As if clouds are covering the blue sky)
Ru guo bu neng gou yong yuan dou zai yi qi
(If we can't be together forever)
Ye zhi shao gei wo men
(Give us at least)
Huai nian de yong qi
(the courage to miss)
Yong bao de quan li
(The right to hug)
Hao rang ni ming bai
(So that you understand)
Wo xin dong de hen ji
(The trace of my heart moving)
Zong shi xiang zai jian ni
(Always wish to see you again)
Hai shi zhe da tan ni xiao xi
(I even attempt to inquire your news)
Yuan lai ni jiu zhu zai wo de shen ti
(In fact you're just living in my body)
Shou zhu wo de hui yi
(Guarding my memories)
