|
Starring
:
Nick
Cheung
Athena
Chu
Stephanie
Che
Ng
Yuen Yee
Lili
Poon
Law
Lan
Producer
:
Gordon
Chan
Director
:
Derek
Chiu
|
TIME
4 HOPE (2002)
A.K.A.
- Time For Hope
Reviewed
by Andrew Saroch
The
chequered life of award-winning screenwriter Yuen Kai Chi is
detailed in this thoughtful biopic that boasts a fine lead
performance by Nick Cheung.
Kai
Chi is a hard-working and single-minded screenwriter who
awaits the chance to be considered among the very best of the
industry. This moment arrives when he wins at the prestigious
Hong Kong Film Awards for his work on the classic Ching
Siu-Tung film 'A Chinese Ghost Story'. After such a massive
boost to his career there seems no limits to the heights he
can reach working within local cinema. Tragically though, Kai
Chi is involved in a car crash that leaves him in a coma and,
on achieving a slight recovery, still finds that he may never
walk again. Importantly, Kai Chi also discovers that the crash
has permanently effected his mental capacity - the very thing
his work relies on. During this bleak period there is some
hope however as he is befriended by caring nurse Cindy (Chu)
and his rehabilitation is gradually put into motion. Such is
Kai Chi's regard for his new friend that he breaks up with his
once neglected girlfriend and concentrates his attentions on
Cindy. The initial reluctance to be with Kai Chi turns into
love and the two are eventually married, with the writer
seeing his shattered life given fresh meaning. Together, the
newlyweds encounter all sorts of obstacles as Kai Chi tries to
recreate his career and Cindy has to come to terms with her
family's feelings towards the relationship.
With
Derek Chiu responsible for this worthy drama, the viewer would
reasonably expect something special from the film. For all its
definite strength though, 'Time 4 Hope' lacks the craft and
nuances that Chiu has come to be known for. Instead the result
is a prosaic biopic that doesn't really appear to have the
stamp of quality that director Chiu usually brings to a
production. To its credit though, 'Time 4 Hope' does benefit
from two excellent performances from Nick Cheung and Athena
Chu; Cheung in particular has never been better than in his
portrayal of Yuen Kai Chi. Nick Cheung often annoys in his
various attempts to be the next Chow Sing-Chi while lacking
much of the Cantonese star's charm, but the drama here gives
him the chance to produce some real acting. What is also a
pleasing is that, although the film's script is written by
Yuen Kai Chi, there are no heroes or villains here and the Kai
Chi is not made out to be blameless in the various events.
Unfortunately, there is little development of what initially
drew the two together; instead there is just a rushed romance
and precious few instances where the relationship is fleshed
out. In this regard, although 'Time 4 Hope' is certainly a
solid film that remains watchable, it is memorable for its
wasted potential rather than anything else.
Rating:
  
|
