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LOVE
IN THE TIME OF TWILIGHT
AKA:
N/A
Year:
1995 Reviewer: Andrew
Saroch
After
noting the magnetic chemistry between Charlie Yeung and Nicky
Wu in the tragi-comic hit 'The
Lovers', Tsui Hark apparently paired them together again
in this opportunity to capitalise on their success. 'Love In
The Time Of Twilight' takes a different path to its
predecessor; it's certainly not an allusion to a classic work
- in fact it probably has more in common with the 'Back To The
Future' films. As zany as this sounds though, Tsui Hark is one
of the few directors who, at their best, can conjure up
something special from unlikely ingredients.
Despite
their respective desire to meet a future partner, Yan (Yeung)
and Kong (Wu) develop an animosity toward one another after a
troubled meeting during 'Affinity Day'. Yan returns to her
life as a not-too-talented performer at her father's opera
troupe while Kong returns to his work as a bank clerk. The two
clearly have no intention of meeting again until Kong is
murdered and Yan is persuaded to go back in time to uncover
the mystery behind it. At first Yan is reluctant, but
participates to ease her conscience. However, after the first
leap back proves unsuccessful and she witnesses Kong's murder
herself, Yan is deeply moved by the events and decides to go
back again. Eventually it becomes evident that the only way
the tragedy can be averted is if the two can turn their
initial dislike into love before the dreaded moment comes.
'Love
In The Time Of Twilight' is the kind of film that starts
awkwardly but increases in stature as the story continues.
Initially the production becomes saturated in pointless
slapstick and the foolish antics of Eric Kot, whose edict is
that a silly face or an annoying voice can entertain better
than real charisma. It therefore seems as if Tsui has simply
rushed out this re-teaming of Yeung and Wu without any
thoughts of quality or entertainment. The first twenty
minutes, though, do not represent the finished article and the
patient viewer is undoubtedly rewarded for sticking with the
film through its misguided opening.
When
the first quarter has passed and the interplay between Yeung
and Wu takes centres stage, the film finds its feet and
confidently matures into a quality slice of entertainment.
Obviously, after their excellent partnership in 'The Lovers',
it's not difficult to leave the two stars to their own devices
and allow them to re-kindle their chemistry. Nonetheless, Tsui
deserves credit for his continual refusal to go down the
pedestrian route. Using 'Back To The Future 2' as a template
may sound unwise for a story set in early 20th century China,
but Tsui turns the idea into a workable one.
As
I've stated before, using time travel as a plot thread is
difficult to judge; you either film it seriously and try to
explain away the odd paradox with conjecture or your make the
pace so energetically hectic that the audience doesn't have
the opportunity to question moments in the story. The latter
technique was successfully utilised by Robert Zemeckis in
'Back To The Future' and it's also the chosen path of Tsui
Hark. There are plot-holes (such as why Ying, the woman who
tricks Kong, doesn't get her comeuppance), but the inertia
behind the story is so great that it's impossible to worry
about such things. The fact that Tsui re-visits the past more
than once also peppers things up considerably.
'Love
In The Time Of Twilight' finishes so well that it is difficult
to remember how frustrating the first section was. However
it's still these pointless moments that end up degrading the
final effect of the film. Thankfully Charlie Yeung is
wonderful as Yan - charming and totally engrossing - while
Nicky Wu is a perfect foil as the more serious Kong; these two
superb performers help the viewer to forgive the early
problems. 'Love In The Time Of Twilight' is still a good film
that nearly rises to be a fine one - it's recommended despite
this fact.
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