February 2017:
Checking movies that were about to be removed from Netflix UK,I found a trio of Hong Kong titles which have not come out on DVD or Video in the UK. Enjoying the Stephen Chow duo (In Justice,My Foot and Out of the Dark) I got set to see this Chow Yun-Fat film,only to discover the Netflix had removed it early.
July 2018:
Learning of a Hong Kong viewing challenge coming up on ICM,I decided to go in search of movies I've been wanting to track down. Becoming lucky in finding this title,I got set to finally meet Ah-Long.
View on the film:
One of only two movies he has been involved in the writing of (the other being 1995's Peace Hotel) the screenplay by co-writer/(with Sylvia Chang/Philip Cheng and Man Fai Ng) star Chow Yun-Fat has an incredibly earthy, personal mood,with the bonding between Yun-Fat's Ah-Long and his son Porky being built on quiet, intimate moments that give a background depth to the abrasive strain gradually poured on their father-son relationship. Made in the middle of a Yun-Fat run in Heroic Bloodshed, Yun-Fat puts the weapons down to instead load-up on fiery passions with the return of Por-Por.
aking an empathic view of Ah-Long and Por-Por being single parents, the writers bring out moments of romantic reflection, but hold from the sweetness to uncover every thread which hold the lingering strain from their break-up. Housing Ah-Long and Porky in dusty-lit surroundings, director Johnnie To & cinematographer Wong Wing-Hang give an elegance to the fractured family reunion, painted in light shining blues that subtly turn to orange as the family reunion smacks to another break-up.
Working with two major names,Kun-Hsuan Huang gives an outstanding performance as Porky, whose relationship with his dad is given a warmth by Huang, which gets crackled with anger that Huang keeps linked to the troubles of the family. Reuniting with Ah-Long and Porky, Sylvia Chang gives a mesmerizing performance as Por-Por, brimming with lingering gazes at Ah-Love,and pouring gallons of love over being reunited with Porky. Holding the hands of Porky and Por-Por, Chow Yun-Fat gives an excellent performance as Ah-Long,with Yun-Fat allowing a feeling of personal space opening up as his eyes meet Por-Por's again,as Yun-Fat reveals all about Ah-Long.
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