This sequel to the immensely entertaining She is a Man, He is a Woman definitely goes into uncharted territory for a mainstream HK film. Sam Koo (Leslie Cheung) is the successful songwriter who fell in love with his cute protege pop vocalist Wing (Anita Yuen); but everyone thinks Wing is a guy (well, an effeminate one), which in public situations, makes Sam look like he's gay. He has to put up with other annoyances as well: continual redecoration of this apartment, her inability to give him any breathing space, and the presence of her homely platonic pal (Jordan Chan). But the gender-bending becomes a bit knotty once bi-sexual pop-singer Miss Fan Fan (Anita Mui) enters the picture. First, she accidentally seduces Sam during a costume party (while wearing a duplicate of Wing's Whoopi Goldberg get-up; he's Woody Allen); next, she fosters a trusting relationship with Wing, who's heterosexual, or at least thinks she is, especially after they hit the sack. In the meantime, Jordan Chan shaves off all of his body hair and dresses in drag to win the attentions of Miss Fan Fan's cute lesbian pal. You've gotta admire the, er, balls of these filmmakers for taking their concept to the limit, but the concept is considerably more elegant than the execution. And in all my days of movie-watching, I've never seen a more determinedly tightlipped kisser than Yuen, even in the most passionate scenes; in the other scenes, she can be chatty and annoying -- and I really like her in most movies. Whatever your criticisms, this one sure is a novelty.

(2/4)



[Reviewed by Steve Spinali]