July Rhapsody

Released May 12

1h 43m

Drama

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July Rhapsody: Trailer 1

1:14

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5 Reviews

Brimming with unspeakable serene beauty, JULY RHAPSODY by Hong Kong's director Ann Hui (A Simple Life) and scriptwriter Ivy Ho (Comrades Almost a Love Story) is a profound and soothing tale about how one paddles through life's chaos as many seemingly eternal inspiration sources of times, like the Yangtze river, quietly fade away. In appearance, Lam prides himself on teaching classic Chinese literature at an elite school and a family of a caring wife and two sons. Deep down, the man of forty tastes unfulfilled ambitions in affluent old classmates' belittlements and unsatisfied desires in seductions from a free-spirited student. The sudden return of his teenage years mentor finally wrecks this vulnerable balance. Lam must unearth the long-hidden truth about who he is and gain a new perspective on how to live the rest of his life.

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Pat Padua

Spectrum Culture

Its dramatic vision is as tender as it is dazzlingly seductive.

Rated: 90/100

May 16, 2024

Full Review

Charles Mudede

The Stranger (Seattle, WA)

Don't miss this bittersweet movie.

May 10, 2024

Full Review

Panos Kotzathanasis

Asian Movie Pulse

“July Rhapsody” is an excellent film, one that highlights how Ann Hui can take the cliche and even the mundane and elevate it to a true piece of art, and one that can easily be described as deceptively simple.

Rated: 7.5

Apr 28, 2024

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Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 2/5

Jul 4, 2005

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Steve Rhodes

Internet Reviews

This touching film is mesmerizing, yet when you leave the theater you may find yourself surprised that so little happened. Ah, but what does is so exquisite.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 17, 2002

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Audience Member

just cant take my eyes off Karena as always (all of her early films were great performed) a solid mellow drama, nice =)

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Audience Member

The story is good, but it's so slow. I already know what's coming half way through. Should have made it 30mins long.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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Audience Member

Ann Hui is an excellent storyteller, but it is sometimes difficult to see what one gets out of her movies because at the end of the slow pace thereâs seldom any catharsis or huge plot twist ie. no big reward for the viewer. But the directorial restraint and understated emotion makes this movie easy to relate to in an everyday manner, and thatâs a sign of good filmmaking.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

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Audience Member

Een aangrijpende prent over midlife crisis, verleiding en het terugblikken op de keuzes en invloeden die ons gevormd hebben

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

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Audience Member

One of the most beautifully shot HK films I've ever seen. The colours and grain of the film stock were perfect. Camerawork was polished. Could barely understand it without English subs, so I'd have to watch it again, but just the way the scenes played out, and the time period it was set in lends itself to being an outstanding work of art.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

With a beautifully composed script by Ivy Ho and secure direction from Ann Hui, July Rhapsody has quite the emotional impact. The way the story slowly unfolds itself, proportionately and objectively, makes emotional investment natural and effortless. The movie's affect also depends largely on very realistic characters, presented as real human beings with equal amounts of merits and flaws, and handled sensitively by each member of the cast. Karena Lam is a true revelation here, skillfully avoiding any tempting Lolitaisms, and Jacky Cheung also manages to refer from the potential sensationalistic exploitation of his character. Anita Mui is perhaps somewhat aloof in her final performance on screen, but in a way that fits the narrative and her character's emotional development. The midlife crisis theme could easily turn into a very ugly thing in the hands of any director, but in July Rhapsody there is only sad lingering beauty.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Ann Hui

Director

Jacky Cheung

Lam Yiu-Kwok

Anita Mui

Lam Man-Ching

Karena Lam

Choy-Lam

Tou Chung Hua

Mr. Sheng

Eric Kot

Wong Yui

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July Rhapsody: Trailer 1

1:14

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Synopsis

Brimming with unspeakable serene beauty, JULY RHAPSODY by Hong Kong's director Ann Hui (A Simple Life) and scriptwriter Ivy Ho (Comrades Almost a Love Story) is a profound and soothing tale about how one paddles through life's chaos as many seemingly eternal inspiration sources of times, like the Yangtze river, quietly fade away. In appearance, Lam prides himself on teaching classic Chinese literature at an elite school and a family of a caring wife and two sons. Deep down, the man of forty tastes unfulfilled ambitions in affluent old classmates' belittlements and unsatisfied desires in seductions from a free-spirited student. The sudden return of his teenage years mentor finally wrecks this vulnerable balance. Lam must unearth the long-hidden truth about who he is and gain a new perspective on how to live the rest of his life.

Director: Ann Hui
Producer: Alexander Wong
Screenwriter: Ivy Ho
Distributor: Cheng Cheng Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): May 12, 2024, Limited
Release Date (DVD): Sep 10, 2024
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Surround