Youling renjian (2001)

Director:

Ann Hui

Writer:

Kwang Abe (writer)

Release Date:

1 June 2001 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Horror | Mystery | Fantasy

Plot:

Urban tale of fantasies, genre greatly favoured by Hong-Kong cinematography, the latest movie of filmmaker...

Plot Keywords:

Cult | Train | Ghost

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Eason Chan	...	Peter Wong Choi
Qi Shu	...	June / Wong Siu-Kam
Anthony Wong Chau-Sang	...	Wong-Lin
Sam Lee	...	Simon
James Wong	...	Lo Kit
Yiu-Cheung Lai	...	Peter's brother (as Yiu-Hung Lai)
Kara Hui	...	Siu-Kam's Mother (as Ying-Hung Wai)
Tony Liu	...	Master Tsang (as Wing Lau)
Tat-Ming Cheung	...	Taxi Driver
Jo Kuk	...	Ghost on the subway (as Jo Koo)
Kelly Moo	...	Little June
Perry Chan	...	Dicky
Tiffany Lee	...	Carmen
Rashima Maheubani	...	Sue
Ho Fili	...	Fatso

Also Known As:

Visible Secret (International: English title)

Runtime:

Japan:98 min | Spain:105 min | Hong Kong:101 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Hong Kong:IIB | Philippines:PG-13 | Singapore:PG

Company:

Class Limited

Movie Connections:

References The Sixth Sense (1999)

I see…?

The unemployed Peter encounters the shadily unusual June when clubbing one night, and straight away the two fall for each other. However since June has entered Peter's life, things has turned out rather strange and she reveals to him in a erratic manner that she can see spirits with left eye. Through her, he learns that a headless loan shark ghost that was killed in a traffic accident, is possessing citizens of Hong Kong seeking revenge on those people and their families that he thinks is linked to his death.

More so a touching drama with supernatural elements, blossoming romance and oddball hilarity is how to describe this handsomely haunting, but evocative treat for the senses. Even with its familiar premise idea (think of "The Eye" and "The Sixth Sense"), this Hong Kong feature turns in one curiously textured screenplay, which is intelligently crafted to get you intrigued, where everything finally falls into place after pulling you into many different directions and possibilities. The central point of Kwang Abe's story is one of those character finding themselves devices, which is learning to first respect who they are and throw in some meaningful character relationship building. There's a twist or two in there. While, the twists might be predictable, but elaborately effective nonetheless. However at times it does feel episodic and leisurely ticks along, before letting the mystery really fold out. Also it might feel a little too long when coming to its long-winded, if underwhelming resolution. The morbidly quirky humour and visual gags worked in, feel right at home to the material, characters and situations.

What it has going for it, is its moody direction and atmospheric locations with sublime shadings, lighting and detail. Director Ann Hui paints many surreal images which float between slightly grisly to beautifully melancholy. The eloquently inventive framing from Arthur Wong's crisply dusky cinematography sets the dreamy tone and a creepy ambiance settles into Tommy Wai Kai-Leung's stirringly unhinged music score. Make-up is well-displayed and special effects admirably creative and fitting to the style of the film.

The two leads are equally splendid with the extremely wonderful Shu Qi's vividly plucky turn as June and Eason Chan's perfectly sombre performance as Peter. The support cast are reasonably low-key and more there for the story's progression, but what is offered up is colourful bunch with the likes of Sam Lee, Anthony Wong Chau-Sang, James Wong, Yiu-Cheung Lai, Jo Kuk and a memorable Tony Liu. Everyone's performances gel together, to make believable and emotional ties.

A charming, offbeat little winner. Maybe too long in its story, but the novelty and atmospheric tone works from the get-go.