When it comes to Hong Kong dramas, they are usually either way over the top or are too ridiculous to take seriously. A Hearty Response is different. A strong story, with character building more than you might expect, as the couple grow to love each other more through out the film. I think that explains why I felt so sad by the time it ended, because I had grown attached to the characters as though they were real people who I knew. I think the action and crime presence in the film helps to a certain extent too, without it turning into a ‘gun-battle-every-5-minutes’ film! A certain amount of comedy takes place too, but the perfect amount for a film like this, not stupid jokes every 5 minutes turning it into a farce, but just enough to make it enjoyable.

The story has already been summed up in the other reviews, so I won’t go any further on that. I will say though, that the ending is very sad, but to be honest, it was expected (though I don’t remember it being so brutal when I first saw it). But the final scenes are not so bad.

Joey Wong is excellent as ever, I can’t think of anyone else who could have done a better job. Chow Yun Fat also seems like he was born to play the role. Although the other performers are okay, they are not really onscreen long enough to make a lasting impression. Law Man and Li Wen Zhuo had both created a masterpiece in comparison to other films like this, and wasn’t for a good 10 years I think until I saw another film which was quite as powerful as this.

Recommended.

Rating [4.5/5]