|
Starring
:
Andy
Lau
Sammi
Cheng
Fiona
Leung
Raymond
Wong
Gabriel
Harrison
Lam
Suet
Producer
:
Johnnie
To
Wai
Ka Fai
Director
:
Johnnie
To
Wai
Ka Fai
|
NEEDING
YOU (2000)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
The
year 2000 saw a brace of big-budget Hong Kong star vehicles
that attempted to emulate their Hollywood counterparts, both
in terms of action and (hopefully) box-office revenue.
However, although the aforementioned series of films had their
merits, it's interesting to see that the undisputed homegrown
box-office champ was this romantic comedy, pulling in over $30
million HK. Not only did it give Andy Lau continued success
(after his best actor award for 'Running
Out Of Time' in 1999), it also gave the flagging screen
career of Sammi Cheng a tremendous boost and further enhanced
Johnnie To as a finely skilled director.
Andy
(Lau) is a high-flying executive in a thriving Hong Kong
company who concentrates on his career rather than his
faltering love life. Into this tangled life comes the
immensely quirky Kinki (Cheng) who is transferred to Andy's
division from within the company and finds her own personal
problems getting in the way of her work. Although they are
immediately at odds with each other, both begin to see the
other's qualities and after conquering several adversities,
the two become friends. Any romantic feelings in either of the
friends are quickly repressed though as Andy's ex-wife begins
to reappear in his life and Kinki finds herself matched up
with a young internet millionaire. However, when company
irregularities place Andy under suspicion, the executive
decides to seize the day and make one final attempt to sweep
Kinki off her feet; but can he compete with her new found
friend?
When
Johnnie To said that he would change directorial pace in the
year 2000, he certainly wasn't joking; 'Needing You' bares
little resemblance to 1999's 'The
Mission', 'Running Out Of Time' or 'Where
A Good Man Goes' other than the stamp of quality they all
share. To had already experienced great success with a
romantic comedy in the late 80's when 'Eighth
Happiness' struck box-office gold, but few were expecting
such a monster hit from the Hong Kong director. The film's
financial and critical plaudits are understandable though as
'Needing You' is a smooth and seamless piece of commercial
film-making, juggling the various strains of romance and
comedy with subtle ease. Sammi Cheng is excellent in the role
of Kinki and her performance has echoes of Anita Yuen in her
prime during the mid 90's. Her talent lies in the way she
shows the characters quirks and eccentricities, but always
remains absorbing and the focus of the audience's attention.
Cheng's performance is the main attraction of the film, but To
also gives the film some infectious scenes, namely the pointed
references to Andy Lau's 'A Moment Of Romance' - a must-see
for fans of the original classic.
'Needing
You' doesn't quite hit the mark as a real classic of the
genre; the ending of the film is far too drawn out for this
and the introduction of Lau's character is strangely
tasteless. However, there is much to enjoy in 'Needing You'
and the film is a pleasant antidote to Hollywood's own
romantic comedies.
Rating:
 
|
