You are currently displaying Big5
新不了情 (1993)
C'est La Vie Mon Cheri


Reviewed by: Chungking_Cash
Date: 02/06/2008

Lau Ching-wan stars as a musician falling out of love with his live-in girlfriend (Carina Lau), also a musician, who is currently celebrating mainstream acceptance. Lau labors for his music, refusing to sellout, but is left bitter by his other half's success and submission to the industry. He soon moves out and finds a one bedroom apartment overlooking the home of a family of street musicians, one of which is a young woman (Anita Yuen) who will go on to serve as his resurrection -- not as an artist -- but as a human being.

You're not going to find much here that you haven't seen in the past (and let's reason in the impending future as well); nonetheless, writer/director Derek Yee freshens up this tiresome formula by taking risks other directors would fumble like the Minnesota Vikings.

On the subject of terminal illness Yee confronts the issue of religious fundamentalists vs. science before going for broke and questioning the over zealous nature a lot of young people living with terminal illnesses seem to posses.

Hollywood if you're listening please take notes.

The film's French title translates to "That's the Life, My Darling."

Reviewer Score: 8

Reviewed by: STSH
Date: 04/04/2006

Sensitive performances, gentle pacing, mostly feel-good, and very romantic. Musicians everywhere, and the coverage of different musical styles is excellent, from the Ga Lip So Cha Cha Cha (get it ? Calypso......), Chinese Opera, Swing, Cantopop and even hot guitar licks and blues.

Same plot as Love Story (1970). Dark-tempered songwriter Lau Ching Wan has just broken up with glamorous pop star Tracy. He moves out of their posh house into a cheap flat, upstairs from a nutty musical family, who make their living performing songs from Chinese Opera in the street, to a small but dedicated audience. One of this group, the goofy and clownish Min (Anita Yuen), barges into Lau's life and sets out on a one-woman mission to cheer-up and win him. And when, finally, Min succeeds, her problem begins to show, and she needs Lau's support.

OVERALL : Too slow to be gripping, and not by any means a classic, but certainly above average. If you want a HK movie with romance and without ANY sex or violence, you'll like this one, and possibly even love it.

Reviewer Score: 6

Reviewed by: Inner Strength
Date: 01/12/2002
Summary: Powerful drama

This movie caught me up completly into the characters world, and is one of the few movies where I really feel the emotions running.

A romantic drama about a man (played by Lau Ching Wan) who is depressed with life and his job, and who wishes his music career could be better without all the hasles he's been through in his life. He moves into a flat after splitting up from his girlfriend, and meets a girl (Anita Yuen) who lives below his flat. She is a lively girl who is always doing new things and tries to get her new neighborough to go out and see things with her. He is reluctant at first, but before long, they fall in love.

However, due to an illness Min (Anita Yuen) had when she was young, she becomes sick again, and slowly starts falling apart. She shuts her man out of her life, but that doesn't stop him. She agrees to marry him as she is on her death bed, and slowly passes away.

The story is very good, and both Anita Yuen and Lau Ching Wan play perfectly. In fact, to date this is my favorite movie with Anita Yuen in. This is not really the kind of movie to watch over and over, but I would still recommend buying it, it's like no other Hong Kong movie you would have seen before!

Rating (of 5): 4

(This rating is based on the year & genre, so don't think it's based as a comparison on new releases etc.)


Reviewed by: future113
Date: 04/26/2001
Summary: One of the best

very very very very nice movie. what more can I say? This is one of my favorite HK movies of all time.
Wish I could marry someone like the lead character in this movie


Reviewed by: SUPERCOP
Date: 12/27/1999
Summary: A delightful little gem.....

Director Derek Yee Tung-sing scored a surprise box office smash with this tear jerker which features a great performances and genuine heart, two elements that catapult this film from the candy coated Hollywood romantic comedy. Actor Lau Ching-wan stars as a down-on-his-luck jazz musician who begins to find the meaning of life when he meets the poor, but happy Wing, enthusiastically portrayed by Anita Yuen Wing-yee (who bagged the best actress award at the 1993 Hong Kong Film Awards). Of course, cliche runs rampant, and the story becomes downbeat. This however, does not detract the audience from enjoying this warm hearted production. A highly recommended date film.


Reviewed by: MadMonkey
Date: 12/09/1999

Shades of "Love Story" and "Dying Young." A good film for the performances--Anita is indescribably compelling when she's perky and "up," moving when she's dying and "down". Depressing, though.

(3/5)


Reviewed by: hokazak
Date: 12/09/1999

Tragic romance that swept the 1994 Hong Kong Film Awards.


Reviewed by: hkcinema
Date: 12/08/1999

A MASTERPIECE and my all time favorite!!! Magnificent performances by everyone in this tragic melodramatic film, especially Anita Yuen and Lau Ching Wan. Apparently the HK Films Academy agrees with me as it grabbed eleven nominations (?) in the 13th HK Films Awards and won 6 of them, including best actress (Anita Yuen), best supporting actress (Fung Bo Bo), best supporting actor (Chin Pui), best screenplay (Yi Dung Sing), best director (Yi Dung Sing), and of course best picture. To avoid revealing too much of the plot, this movie is about a sweet and captivating girl who slowly changes the life of a down-on-his-luck musician. Halfway through the movie the table turns as she battles leukemia, we see a dramatic change in her innocent and strong character as it starts to break down. Now it's the musician who is giving her the very same strength and support that she used to give him. Extremely moving and touching, IMO. A *MUST SEE* for all HK movie fans, particularly those who enjoy romance. The uniquely melocholic milieu of this film can be traced to its atmospheric cinematography, but more importantly, the *absolutely beautiful* music. Along with the superb performances and the simple but unforgettable plot, "That's Life, My Love" deserves a place all by itself in the history of HK moviemaking.

(5/5)



[Reviewed by Brandon S. Ou]


Reviewed by: hkcinema
Date: 12/08/1999

Dramedy (drama and comedy) about a free-spirited girl'srelationship with a down-on-his-luck musician. The first half detailing their courtship is funny and interesting (include some scenes of Hong Kong's night life); while the second half is sad.

[Reviewed by Edith Fung]


Reviewed by: spinali
Date: 12/08/1999
Summary: NULL

The big news about this HK Best Film contender is not so much the film, which is little more than a well-made tear-jerker; it's classy, photogenic Best HK actress nominee Anita Yuen. She's the sprightly Peking Opera sweetheart whose romance with a pouty sax player (Ching Wan) trods familiar territory, albeit with charm. In the final act of the movie, she gets leukemia, a cheap ploy for audience emotions that isn't half as interesting as her family conflicts and the saxist's unfinished business with 'the other woman.' Love Story, Asian style.

(3/4)



[Reviewed by Steve Spinali]

Reviewer Score: 7