Benny Chan's "A Moment of Romance" Blu-ray - Andy Lau / Jacklyn Wu Chien-lien @FilmsRadiance
Added 2023-07-24 20:39:41 +0000 UTCBONUS CAPTURES:
Benny Chan's "A Moment of Romance" Blu-ray - Andy Lau / Jacklyn Wu Chien-lien @FilmsRadiance
OUR REVIEW:
http://www.dvdbeaver.com/film11/blu-ray_review_175/a_moment_of_romance_blu-ray.htm
Small-time hood Wah Dee (Andy Lau, Infernal Affairs) is enlisted by Triad boss Trumpet (Tommy Wong, The Killer) as a getaway driver for a daring heist that goes wrong. Thinking fast Dee takes Jo Jo (Jacklyn Chien-Lien Wu, The Barefooted Kid) hostage to save his skin, but the bosses order her to be killed. They escape and begin a forbidden relationship while being chased by both sides of the law. Produced by Johnnie To (Throwdown) and Ringo Lam (City on Fire) the film is sensationally directed by Benny Chan in his feature debut. With a breakneck pace and violence reminiscent of To and Takashi Miike and the beautiful and emotive sensibility of Wong Kar-wai, the film features stunning performances from Lau, and Wu in her debut work. A Moment of Romance is a classic of Hong Kong cinema that has been much imitated but rarely bettered.
***
Benny Chan's A Moment of Romance is a lauded Hong Kong action-melodrama about a tough, cool, triad member and "good girl" rich heiress finding an inevitably doomed romance after he takes her hostage. Loving Jojo (Jacklyn Wu Chien-lien) doesn't redeem Wah (Andy Lau) soon enough but it's quite a ride. Action sequences can be brutal but effectively realized and character development is a key factor in the film's highly acclaimed status. Admittedly, I wasn't that keen on A Moment of Romance initially but the film grows on you if in exaggerated tones. The Radiance Blu-ray has introduced me to a thoroughly enjoyable film that I had only heard about, has an informative commentary, visual essay, interview, booklet in a nicely appointed package. An easy recommendation to those keen on Hong Kong films.
