Everlasting Regret

The movie definitely wasn’t boring, but it was like all in bits and pieces. There wasn’t much continuity and I got rather confused at first because the dates weren’t announced in chronological order. When the first one appeared I thought: Oh no, Ming has died and can’t provide for Qiyao anymore. (Well, I was wrong, cos actually he outlived her!) I felt that too much was being crammed into too little time, especially the parts involving Ming and Ke La. (Quote Viineon: “Male leads disappearing!”) The one about Li was more believable because more time was devoted to his part of the story allowing the plot to develop more realistically. I wouldn’t mind another half hour or even an hour of the film so as to add ‘more blood and flesh’ to Ming and Ke La.

At first I was a bit disappointed with the film, but after some thought, I thought it was good in a sense that much was left unsaid and up to the viewer to deduce, interpret and think for himself/herself. It’s a long novel, for goodness sake, so there’s no feasible way to portray every single detail within the movie timeframe. So perhaps what Stanley Kwan did was to leave it to your imagination (though I still think he should have developed the storylines of Ming and Ke La a bit more).

Favourite scene:
When Lili came back to Shanghai to visit Qiyao and how tears flowed when the two friends met for the first time in ? years. I thought Sammi did well here. And the follow up bits when Lili asked Qiyao to thank her (Why did she do that?) and how they (probably a little tipsy) started singing “Beautiful Shangri-La, Cute Shangri-La, I’m deeply in love with her...” and dancing crazily! Then Mr Cheng joined in the impromptu pandemonium while Mrs Cheng and Ming looked so uncomfortable and out-of-place. I was trying not to chuckle out loud!

Dumbest scene:
Ke La flashing his, erm, bum momentarily, omg! What purpose did that serve, apart from making the audience snigger or gasp in shock?!

Apart from the ‘thank you’ scene, there are many other things that I don’t understand. What words did Qiyao have for Mr Cheng that he would never know because she didn’t live to tell him? That after her three tumultuous and fruitless relationships, she finally decided to accept him? Or that she knew of his feelings for her but would nevertheless only treat him as her best friend?

I think it’s great that Sammi is taking on different roles rather than her usual comedies or light-hearted love stories. I wouldn’t say she was brilliant here, but it was a step in the right direction. Her Mandarin was still Canto-accented despite the lessons, but most of the time I found it ok, except the parts when she was agitated and shouted or cried incessantly. Those parts were really bad cos I couldn’t make out what she was saying. And the famous banging-head-against-wall scene. I felt that it was a little exaggerated and prolonged. I prefer her acting during the seemingly calm scenes (淡淡的表情), but in actual fact with much emotional turmoil inside. These are less conspicuous but so much harder to express. I suppose it wouldn’t do to just go for art-house fare, but she could perhaps take on both artistic and commercial movies. I heard that she may accept a lesbian role next. Another new challenge for her and hopefully another feather in her cap...

Although I don’t think the movie is great, it’s not bad. In fact I feel like watching it again, hoping to find answers to some of my question marks. I’ll just wait patiently for the DVD.

I agree with wenzi’s comments to a certain extent, but I felt that human beings and not just women are 犯賤 in one way or another and can’t seem to help it. Why do we go for those that we know are not attainable? Why are we attracted by a rebellious/naughty streak? Why do we not settle for someone who is conscientiously toiling by your side, without grumble or reluctance? Why do we aim for pastures on the other side which we foolishly assume will always be greener? Will we only regret if we lose the person/thing forever? Everlasting regret? Hmmm...