Chow Yun-Fat is an amiable N.Y. big-mouth who gambles and brawls, but his thoughts turn to love when his distant cousin Cherie Chung arrives in the big city for college. They're a mismatched pair from the start, so most of the movie is silent yearning and embarrassment for the poor guy; Chung has rarely looked cuter, nor had a better part. Of course, the American bit actors are stuck with tin-ear dialogue that's silly beyond words; but if you can get beyond that and its travelogue feel, its very minor charms (i.e., nice visuals, Cherie Chung...uh, gee...I guess that's pretty much it) might appeal to you.

(2/4)



[Reviewed by Steve Spinali]