Perhaps Love (2005)

Nearly every scene is a screen saver.

If this film reminds you of Chicago, Singing in the rain, House of flying daggers, or even Curse of the golden flowers. Well, it should as a lot of what's eye candy in those films are incorporated in this tight little love story.

I buy a lot of blu-ray DVDs from Amazon.com and was delighted to finally see a good list of Hong Kong titles. I never heard of this 2005 Hong Kong film, I was very surprised that I bought a musical. I must say it started very slowly but really got interesting once the love triangle plot got sticky.

Perhaps Love must have came out after Chicago as there is plenty of Fosse influence here. It is far different than any Chinese musical from the Shaw period of the 1950's to 1960's Hong Kong. If you are from that period of Hong Kong, this film may not bring back much memories for you, it did not for me. In fact, I got more flashbacks of the Chow Yun Fat's "Better Tomorrow" series from this film, of the modern Hong Kong.

Back to my main point. This is a feast for the eyes, not so much for the ears, although it is a musical. The camera work and art direction is among the best I have ever seen. Still, without a terrific love story, I would have fast forwarded to the next beautiful scene. I did not and in fact, have already watched it 3 times before writing this.

The English track is pretty good and you really do not miss much listening to that and even the lyric translation is "lossless".

Finally, this is a movie and life in China is not this colorful. Perhaps in your dream, but then again, after the 2008 Olympics, the whole world may think all of China is just this attractive. Simply remember not to be disappointed if you ever get the chance to visit mainland China, beyond the big cities.

Paul
September 13, 2008

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