Love in a Fallen City

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Audience Member Love in the Fallen City-1984-Ann Hui I can not help but feel there was something lost in the translation, and I mean literally lost in the translation on the screen. Unless, however, people in Shanghai in the 1930s referred to each other by their numerical standing amongst their family. Such as "go tell 6th sister that 4th brother is waiting downstairs". Also, lines of dialogue would repeat twice at times in the subtitles. I could be wrong but there seemed to be some unintentionality to the words on the screen. If not, this was a questionable screenplay. The 1st act takes place basically entirely in the home of the brother of the female lead (Cora Miao) and the dialogue scenes are tough to watch. Each character in that family is overacting at different times and the conversations take on almost a shrill characteristic. Chon Yun-fat the male lead doesn't make an appearance until almost a 3rd of the way through the movie. The plot stumbles a bit until his introductions and the romantic courtship starts. The story is filled with longing and repression of desires. It functions fine as love interest and the two of them are definitely easy on the eyes. But honestly the acting was not stellar from the supporting characters and little charm was gleaned outside the lead couple's dynamic. There were moments where Ann Hui's direction burst through. When the camera took to moving in the scenes and the dialogue slowed she tossed in very subtle accents and camera movements that were enough to hold my interest. However, those moments were too few for my taste and the bland interiors of many of the sets lacked the artistic charm I was hoping for. This movie was just shy cracking a barrier of enjoyment for me so I give it a-C+ Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member viewed on 20/7/04 (Tues) I like Ann Hui's Boat People. Shocking and deeply moving. I like her Swordsman (aka Xiao Ao Jiang Hu). Entertaining. I like her My American Grandson. Watched it many years and deeply touched by the story between an Americanised grandson and his very old-fashioned grandpa. I like Song of Exile. Maggie is great and Lu Xiaofen is even better. A daughter coming to terms with the sacrifices made by her much-hated mum. So when I chanced upon this title, I grabbed it fast. I was very confident that this will prove to me that before that pretentious Ordinary Heroes, Eighteen Spring etc, Ann Hui was once upon a time a great director. Ooopsss.. the streak of bad movies could have started with this one already. I think the novel which the film is based on is badly represented. The novel is written by Eileen Chang and I think it strives to tell a love story as ill-fated as a war torn Shanghai which is the story background towards the end. We see alot of Cora Miao and Chow Yun Fat whispering sweet nothings. For too long and too much. It feels like the longest foreplay ever. I feel sad for Eileen Chang. What a waster of a good title - Qing Cheng Zhi Lian. Sounds powerful only. Sigh Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member It is a Chinese Version of before sunset Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Very good adaption... Chow Yun Fat was quite naive at that time... very good directing... Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member This first screen adaptation of Eileen Chang's middle-length story was criticized for the unnatural dialogue and poor acting. But I thought it's actually better than what I've heard. The dialogue is evidently a little stiff, and the acting is so-so, but the figures were built up quite successfully by the film newcomers Chow Yun Fat and Cora Miu. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member good use of background music Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Love in a Fallen City

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