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Starring
:
Tony
Leung Chiu Wai
Miriam
Yeung
Chang
Chen
Tung
Jei
Eric
Kot
Lam
Suet
Sammy
Leung
Fan
Jik Wai
Producer
:
Jacky
Pang
Cheung
Pui Wah
Chan
Wing Sun
Wong
Nga Man
Director
:
Joe
Ma
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SOUND
OF COLORS (2003)
A.K.A.
- Sound Of Colours
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
It
was another successful year for Miriam Yeung, one that her
star in two films that hit the all-important HK$20million
mark. At the end of 2003, Yeung released two films
simultaneously - 'Anna
In Kung-Fu Land' and 'Sound Of Colors'. The latter
production saw the singer turned actress re-united with Tony
Leung Chiu Wai - her co-star in the financially lucrative, yet
artistically disappointing 'My Lucky Star'. With regular Yeung
cohort, Joe Ma, at the helm, everything was in place for
another assault on the local box-office.
Since
a childhood accident left her blind, Cheung (Yeung) has led a
contented life with her doting father, but deep down she
yearns for companionship. After her father happens upon a
flier for a dating agency, Cheung decides to sign up and find
a prospective suitor. The conniving owner of the agency, Ho
(Tony Leung), decides to take her on even though he is far
from confident that he will find her a date. Every avenue Ho
tries in his quest to find Cheung a boyfriend fails, but he
begins to feel a subtle closeness to her himself. These
feelings grow when Ho awakes one morning to find that he has
also gone blind - a condition that no doctor can explain to
him. Now needing to rely ever more on his close friends, Ho is
also aided by Cheung and her optimism helps him through the
difficult situation. Meanwhile another budding love story is
beginning to unfold in China where a young man travels to meet
a heart-broken woman he has been guided to. Both
relationships, however, have to overcome considerable hurdles
before they can enjoy their inevitable happy ending.
Based
on the romantic graphic novel, 'Sound Of Colors' is a
saccharine sweet romance that revels in its impressive
production values, but disappoints with its overall effect.
Unlike many of Miriam Yeung's other films, 'Sound Of Colors'
is a straight romance with only a few very minor comic indulgences
and, as such, it may prove a bit too 'twee' for some.
Sentimentality is certainly not a crime; when done well (i.e.
'C'est
La Vie, Mon Cherie') it can still provide the emotional
punch that such a genre needs. 'Sound Of Colors' does have
enough heart to make its two relationships real, but there are
too many other inconsistencies to contend with, therefore any
chance of Joe Ma producing an ageless classic are very
limited.
The
inherent difficulty of 'Sound Of Colors' is its troublesome
format. While the linking of two budding relationships is not
an especially bad idea, it is clearly a challenging one to
pull off. The obvious danger is that one of the focal points
will be slightly nudged aside in favour of the other - a
problem that is the particular affliction of Joe Ma's film.
Miriam Yeung and Tony Leung's romance forms the main body of
the narrative and, though there is initially interest in it,
Chang Chen's love is gradually moved to the background. Both
stories therefore get in each others' way - both stories
seemed to have potential, but one is much more successful than
the others. Perhaps neither storyline would've sustained the
full running time, but we'll never know. The twists retain
their appeal to the story and Joe Ma does conjure up a few
touching moments; the added use of illustrator and creator
Jimmy's work mixed with some live action moments is
particularly heart-rending.
Though
I've spent time outlining the criticisms for 'Sound Of
Colours', there's enough quality here to counteract the
problems. Miriam Yeung is excellent as Cheung, giving her
character a real mixture of genuine pathos, hope and beauty
(though I'm probably biased). The superlative Tony Leung is
typically assured, Chang Chen hugely empathetic (though
underused) and there's some pleasant supporting roles for Lam
Suet, Eric Kot and Matt Chow. Joe Ma also succeeds in creating
a romantic atmosphere that Vincent Kok's 'My Lucky Star' truly
lacked. Carving out a few gentle, yet emotionally charged
sequences, Joe Ma has a far better control over his vision and
aims than Kok had. 'Sound Of Colors' is bright and visually
encouraging, has the advantage of two performers with the
Midas Touch at the moment and a genuine feel-good effect. If
the intrusive, over-used piano that tinkles away on the soundtrack
had been restrained and the storyline better harnessed, 'Sound
Of Colors' could've triumphed over its predominantly
sentimental short-comings. As it is though, the production
cannot sustain its appeal nor can it do justice to the grand
themes of loneliness/love that attempts to tackle.
Rating:
 
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