Hong Jin Tay – Google

A very very average movie, putting it mildly; out of 100, I give this movie 35 marks. The movie uses a nonlinear narrative structure. But, if one is not able to execute the technique (regardless of the credentials of the directors), don't be too ambitious, otherwise it will backfire and confuses the audience. I always think that Chow Yun-fatt's acting is overrated. This movie again shows why. At the beginning, the way Chow's character treated his son; his facial expression was as if he was handling a gangster. An actor cannot just thrive on his reputation. And, why did Chow's character suddenly start treating his son so nicely after he had injured him (not because he needed him to win in the casino, as by then Chow's character had begun to give up gambling)? Out of guilt? But, the movie didn't explain it well, the sudden change of attitude and treatment by Chow's character. The director had around 115 minutes, surely he could do a lot better. Further, the audience would have easily noticed at first glimpse of the child (a 20-odd-years old as a "child"?) that he was on the "slow" side. However, only after a few minutes the "child" had appeared, the character played by Alex Fong suspected so. Gosh. The movie continued for approximately a good 25 minutes after Anita's character passed away. And during certain scenes in the 25 minutes or so, I had an impression as if the director was intending to do a promotion on the real life Chow Yuen-fatt and his famed hobby, hiking/running. Goodness. To use almost two hours to come out with this quality of movie, it's very disappointing. After "Where the Wind Blows", "One More Chance" is another very mediocre HK production despite featuring Anita Yuen, and perhaps BECAUSE OF the presence of Chow (yes, I can see many Chow's hardcore fans' displeased, or even irate expressions now).

It is not worth it to watch. 35 marks out of 100. Poor script, poor directing. If not for Tony Leung's, Du Juan's and Michael Hui's (especially the latter's) acting, the film would have fetched a lower score. It is a 143-minute movie, and the director wanted to narrate a drama serial? The director is too ambitious/greedy, aiming at telling various stories (or even carrying various genres in one movie), lacks focus. Mr Director, FOCUS FOCUS FOCUS, THEME THEME THEME. Approaching the end of the movie, I thought I was watching a documentary (on Tony Leung's and Aaron Kwok's characters) for ten minutes or so. Using almost 2 and half hours, and movie of only such a quality was produced, it's rather pathetic. 27th min, the group dancing scene; what's that, Mr Director? Aaron Kwok's MTV/musical? It's time audience realise that even featuring big stars, many (and I have not even said most) HK movies are mediocre; or perhaps many movie-goers realise this fact. Most of the time, I find that HK movies featuring NOT top stars which are watchable or even of high quality.