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C'EST
LA VIE, MON CHERIE
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1993 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
In
1993 reputable director Derek Yee took two virtual unknowns,
combined them with a cast of well-known veterans and created
one of the biggest surprise hits of the 1990's. As a result,
Lau Ching Wan has since gone on to become one of the most
accomplished actors in Hong Kong and Anita Yuen continues to
command a number of worldwide fans.
Kit
(Lau Ching Wan) is a misunderstood jazz musician who splits up
with his famous singer girlfriend (Carina Lau) after a row.
Kit yearns to be accepted as a musician in his own right
without living in the shadow of his successful ex-girlfriend
and compromising his own art. After breaking free from the
commercial music world, Kit gets a room in a grim block of
flats and dwindles his life away in a state of depression. One
night though, Kit is befriended by local girl Min (Anita Yuen)
who sings with her family in a street opera troupe and he is
gradually drawn to the subtle integrity of the entire family
unit - especially Min. His new found friend lifts his spirits
and introduces him to the innocent and genuine pleasures in
life that are far removed from the world he's just left.
Naturally romance develops between the two and Kit is fully
integrated into the strong family unit that scrapes a living
as entertainers. However, the roles are soon reversed when Min
reveals that she has been ill since childhood and she has
succumbed to a relapse. Now Kit is the tower of strength as he
tries to nurse his true love back to health and support her
through her time of crisis.
It's
difficult to fully explain the charm of this touching and
genuine romantic drama as the plot synopsis immediately seems
to indicate a film in the 'Love Story' mould. However, this
Hong Kong classic is crafted in a way that Hollywood would
never dream of attempting: the romance is subtle and touching
rather than reverting to the typical Hollywood crassness; the
central relationship takes place between two ordinary people
who a number of viewers will relate to, rather than the
idealised constraints of Hollywood's romantic visions. These
ingredients make 'C'est La Vie Mon Cherie' a real treat to
watch and create an enchanting ambience that draws the viewer
in. Derek Yee once again impresses with his direction as he
takes basic elements and gives them a real emotional edge
through the depth of the characterisation - something he
achieved in 'People's Hero' and 'The Lunatics'. Once more Yee focuses on the expert cast and allows Fung Bo Bo, Carrie Ng
and Paul Chun Pui to shine (Paul Chun Pui and Fung Bo Bo both
won awards at the Hong Kong Film awards for their roles) in
their sympathetic parts. Lau Ching Wan is among Hong Kong's
best actors and the potential he began to show with this
performance gave the critical public an indication of just how
important he would become to contemporary cinema. Those more
familiar with his more intimidating roles of recent years will
be pleasantly surprised by his flawless emotional depth on
show here.
The
aforementioned praise for the actors and director shouldn't
distract the viewer from the fact that this is really Anita
Yuen's film and stands as her finest hour. Her plucky spirit
and immense charm really beam out, totally capturing the
viewer's attention and the characters nuances. It's hoped that
Yuen will return to the quality productions of the mid-90's
and regain her rightful place as one of Hong Kong's most
charismatic and endearing actresses.
'C'est
La Vie Mon Cherie' just misses out on five stars, but with
future viewings it could well get full marks.
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