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Starring
:
Sammi
Cheng
Richie
Ren
Tan
Kheng Seong
Tay
Ping Hui
Echo
Shen
Michael
Wong
Katherine
Wang
Vincent
Kok
Producer
:
David
Chan
Patricia
Cheng
Director
:
Jingle
Ma
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SUMMER
HOLIDAY (2000)
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
Hot
on the heels of the massively successful 'Needing
You', came the bright and breezy hit 'Summer Holiday'.
Teaming Cheng with Richie Ren, 'Summer Holiday' takes the
action away from the usual Hong Kong metropolis and centres it
in the idyllic landscapes of a Malaysian beach resort.
Summer
Koo's life falls apart when her boyfriend unceremoniously
dumps her and her financial situation quickly goes downhill.
Looking for a way to rectify not only her money troubles, but
also pacify her broken heart, Summer decides to travel to a paradisiacal
resort in Malaysia and sell the beach that she has a half
share in. While the gorgeous surroundings impress her, Summer
is keen to sell to a local company who want to exploit the
beauty of the location. The only problem with her plan is that
the other half of the beach's ownership rights - previously
owned by her cousin - are now in the possession of local
resident 'More More Tea' (Richie Ren with an incredible
character name). Summer's proposal is flatly refused by More
More Tea who is adamant that the beach he grew up should be
enjoyed by everyone and not just an elite few. Calling on her
unscrupulous business acumen, Summer decides to charm her new
partner into selling his share; this, however, proves to be a
gargantuan task as her target is nowhere near as naive as he
pretends to be.
After
watching the mediocre 'Marry
A Rich Man' a mere few months ago, I approached 'Summer
Holiday' with an obvious sense of caution. Though, on paper,
this seemed to have all of the same ingredients as 'Marry A
Rich Man' - and potentially all of the same faults - 'Summer
Holiday' has a zestful atmosphere that makes it a whole
different proposition. Make no mistake, it's commercial
film-making at its most obvious and calculated, but its
execution is more accomplished than Vincent Kok's heavy-handed
effort.
A
film as light and fluffy as this needs a romantic coupling
that is believable, yet has a certain edge to it that makes
even the slower scenes interesting. While Sammi Cheng and
Richie Ren don't set the screen ablaze with their chemistry,
both are stars who play to their strengths here; Sammi is
hard-nosed and cynical while Richie is care-free and acts as a
suitable adversary/love-interest. Such a confident pairing
helps to excuse a storyline that is needlessly stretched,
especially near its conclusion where there is much pointless
globe-trotting and introspection. A meaner edit would've been
of great benefit to 'Summer Holiday' as director Jingle Ma
seems to run out of steam shortly after the hour mark.
Nevertheless, as cinematographer Ma shows his true vocation
and makes sumptuous use of the wondrous setting.
While
'Summer Holiday' has no major weaknesses, it is a
traditionally clichéd romantic comedy that doesn't attempt to
throw anything more challenging into the blend. However, such
productions have their place and when made properly can still
be appealing. 'Summer Holiday' is mostly such a film and is
entertaining, while also serving as a picturesque alternative
to the usual Hong Kong locales. Jingle Ma may still be some
way off being as good a director as he is cinematographer, but
he can be reasonably satisfied with his work here.
Rating:
 
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