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Starring
:
Tony
Leung Kar Fei
Veronica
Yip
Ray
Liu
Anita
Lee
Lindsay
Chan
David
Wu
Kwan
Hoi San
Kent
Cheng (cameo)
Carina
Lau (cameo)
Director
:
Tony
Au
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ROOF
WITH A VIEW (1993)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
Police
officer Lau (Leung Kar Fei) sees his relatively ordinary life
spiral downwards when his close friend and colleague Fatty Ho
(Kent Cheng) commits suicide. Although the tragedy leaves an
indelible mark within Lau, he tries to continue with his
aimless life and moves to a new apartment building. Shortly
after the move, Lau meets fellow resident Hiu Tung (Yip) after
she is robbed by a supposedly amorous admirer and, out of
embarrassment, lodges a fictionalised version of events with
the police. The police officer and his colleagues are amused
by her peculiar description of the robbery, but are surprised
when she returns to apologise and brave the ridicule of the
police force. Henceforth, Lau befriends his neighbour and her
young son, learning of her difficult life and the aggressive
ex-husband who left her in such desperation. Though Lau's
interest is purely amicable, Hiu begins to form a longing for
him and Bobo, her son, looks to him as the father he never
had. Just when the usually commitment-phobic Lau begins to
warm to the idea, Hiu's louse of an ex, Screwball (Liu),
returns after three years away and demands that his wife and
child accept him back with open arms. Meanwhile Lau's
ex-girlfriend also manages to throw a spanner in the works
with a throwaway comment to Hiu, something that adds to the
pressure that their fledgling love faces.
Tony
Leung Kar Fei is an actor who is trapped in an on-screen
dual-personality; sometimes he's one of the finest actors in
Hong Kong and at other times he's merely the hammiest.
Pleasingly, 'Roof With A View' sees Leung in the former role
and it is his performance - alongside the excellent Veronica
Yip - that makes the film so enjoyable. Their portrait of two
of life's victims who fall in love is touching and humane,
never crossing the line into insincere sentiment. There's also
a welcome addition of quirky humour that, when controlled,
adds another layer to the characters. Director Tony Au is
well-versed in balancing romance with drama, but here he shows
a skill for blending a touch of comedy into the mix. 'Roof
With A View' is therefore a three-dimensional romantic film
that never over-uses the comedy nor over-does the drama.
Hong
Kong cinema has long been fascinated by romantic films that
concentrate on the under-appreciated of society and shows
their warm-hearted dalliances with love - 'Roof With A View'
is another fine example of this. The pace flags slightly near
the end with a final section that is needlessly padded out,
but there's much to absorb in Tony Au's work. A quality
production, a delicate romance and a pair of lead stars who
gel together superbly - a certain recommendation.
Rating:
 
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