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Review
by Kozo: |
Pre-UFO drama from UFO’s main men, Peter Chan and Lee Chi-Ngai.
This is an effective, though schmaltzy tearjerker about two
lifelong friends, Alan Tam and Eric Tsang. Eric is a kindly,
self-sacrificing man who gives everything up for those he
loves. This includes a romance with the woman he loves, Olive
(a winning Maggie Cheung). When it’s revealed to him that
his easygoing buddy Alan digs Maggie and vice versa, he gladly
steps out of the way to let them get it on. Alan eventually
goes on to become a huge popstar (which makes for some easily
obtained footage at one of Alan’s many concerts), leaving
his two friends alone. When it’s revealed that Eric loves
Maggie, the whole thing collapses, though a final plot device
allows for some tear-soaked closure.
The sappy elements of this flick
are all-too-apparent, as the UFO guys had yet to learn the
magic of quirkiness which so often saves otherwise bland mushy
stuff. Unlike later UFO efforts, supporting characters (like
Blackie Ko, Barry Wong, and Paul Fornoroff) are left in the
back and given little to do. Thankfully one of UFO’s major
characteristics comes through: it’s the characters that drive
the movie, not plot set-up. Both Cheung and Tsang are genuinely
affecting, and there is real character work in Eric Tsang’s
award-winning role. This is an affecting work, and a good
primer for UFO's later films. (Kozo 1996) |
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