Tian xia wu shuang (2002)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Jeffrey Lau

Writer:

Jeffrey Lau (screenplay)

Release Date:

6 February 2002 (Hong Kong)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Action

Plot:

In Ming Dynasty China, two pairs of siblings are destined for each other. But fate throws countless obstacles in the path of their happiness...

Plot Keywords:

Emperor | Palace | Princess | Fortune Teller | Cross Dressing

Awards:

2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Tony Leung Chiu Wai	...	Li Yilong
Faye Wong	...	Princess Wushuang
Wei Zhao	...	Phoenix
Chen Chang	...	Emperor Zheng De
Roy Cheung	...	Chu Liangshim
Athena Chu	...	Amour Amour
Rebecca Pan	...	Queen mother
Jan Lamb	...	Comentary (voice)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Fai-hung Chan	...	Emperor (voice)
Goo-Bi GC	...	Phoenix (voice)
Eric Kot
Jeffrey Lau	...	President Chen
Jing Ning

Also Known As:

Chinese Odyssey 2002 (International: English title)

Runtime:

Hong Kong:97 min

Country:

Hong Kong

Language:

Cantonese

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Certification:

Malaysia:U | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Shanghai, China

Company:

Jet Tone Production

Quotes:

Li Yilong: Often, if one loves too deeply, it is intoxicating, If one hates too long, the heart is easily shattered, The most painful experience in life, however, is waiting. I don’t know how long she waited. I thought all along I would never see her again. Suddenly, I didn’t know what to say, I couldn't figure out how to say ... to tell her I really love her.

Movie Connections:

References Sai yau gei: Dai yat baak ling yat wui ji - Yut gwong bou haap (1994)

An undeniably fun movie, if not a bit formulaic.

The thing that struck me most about this movie is its radiance. The music alone will tell you that this movie is about having fun.

The comedy is perhaps a little bit questionable, depending on you're tastes. Sometime's it's just simple verbal jokes, and at other times, it's just completely random. I found the randomness to be a little too weird to be funny at times, but most of the humor is fine.

My favorite scenes are the ones depicting pure enjoyment. One scene in particular that strikes me is the spoof of Chinese opera. Faye is singing, beautifully, as usual, and making lots of similies and such, and Tony just says a bunch of stupid stuff (probably because his character is uneducated). My favorite lines being: Faye: See those geese in the middle of the pond, enjoying each other's company like we are. Tony: Today they swim, Tomarrow they roast. Roast goose is truly delicious.

Often times in a movie about love, the ones that are remembered are the ones where the characters are creative in showing their love. I mean, it's not easy to give that kind of emotion to the audience with characters they have only known for two hours.

It's even harder to give the audience the enjoyment of being in the company of someone really fun. This song and dance, as well as other scenes in the movie accomplish this very well. While they're doing the ridiculous dances, Faye can be seen close to, if not bursting into laughter. The director and the actors really looked like they had great fun with this film, and that translates onto the audience.

The formulaic aspect of the movie, or the part i'm not so crazy about is the last 15 minutes or so. While i don't mind the plot's development, i feel the character reactions were a bit exaggerated. Both Faye and Tony end up going crazy, literally. There needn't be such an exaggeration to depict the sadness of the characters. In fact, that shouldn't even be a focus of a movie of pure fun like this.

It does ultimately end on a happy note, which is quite nice. In the end, i do find something special about this movie. Nothing really matches the pure enjoyment i feel from this movie. Every time i think of the drunken song, i can't help but smile. There are some parts of the movie which aren't quite as wonderful, but it's definitely worth you're time.