When I Look Upon the Stars (1999)



	When I Look Upon the Stars		Return to Review Archive - W
	Year:	1999	Leo Koo and Shu Qi
	Director:	Dante Lam Chiu-Yin
	Producer:	Gordon Chan Car-Seung, Chan Hing-Kai
	Cast:	Leo Koo Ka-Kui, Shu Qi, Sam Lee Chan-Sam, Anita Chan Wing-Yin, Eric Tsang Chi-Wai, Sammy, Siu Yee
	The Skinny:	Cloying, calculated, and eminently enjoyable. This overly cute romantic comedy manages to entertain thanks to a wonderful star turn by Shu Qi.
	Review by Kozo:	From the guys who brought you Option Zero and Beast Cops comes this surprising romantic comedy. Leo Koo is Aeroplane Kei, an overly rational fellow who travels to Japan to see his girlfriend June (Anita Chan). He intends to surprise her, but the surprise is his. He finds out that she’s been unfaithful—and with his best friend Sam (Sam Lee), too. Heartbroken, he can only wallow in his selfish disappointment, reflecting upon what the breakup means to him. Kei finds himself hooked to Kiki (Shu Qi), a wannabe media star who hails from Taiwan. Kiki is basically one of those “magical girls,” who can light up dark moments and cure heartbreak. Kei is her toughest assignment, a thoroughly sensible human being who supplants emotion with reason—to the point of self-rationalization. Thankfully, Kiki is up to the task. She makes Kei a deal: for 24 hours, he’ll be her lover. It’s only through that arrangement that we learn more about the characters—and the more we learn, the better the film gets. Normally Chan Hing-Kai, Gordon Chan and Dante Lam use genre to disguise their agenda, but this time they don’t bother with guns and gangs to get their thoughts across. If one can get by the overdone existentialism and sometimes cloying script, then a good time can easily be had. This is calculated commercial cinema that’s fun and entertaining, and features a fabulous star turn from its leading lady. Shu Qi is truly a miracle—this girl can seemingly do anything within her age range. She has a genuine charisma that’s fitting for Kiki, a girl whose flighty nature hides only the most believable depths. Great music, sharp cinematography, and a wonderful location round out the package. This may not be the best HK film of 1999, but as a guilty pleasure it's hard to top. (Kozo 1999)
	Availability:	DVD (Hong Kong) Region 0 NTSC Mei Ah Laser Widescreen Cantonese and Mandarin Language Tracks Removable English and Chinese Subtitles

		image courtesy of Mei Ah Laser Disc Co., Ltd.
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