CRAZY N' THE CITY (2005-HK)
review by Neo


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Joey Yung please change the way you act!
Sometimes a movie cannot be judged by its cover and as stupid as the title seems to be the movie was not a just as expected movie but one that Neo reckons kicks off 2005 on a high. From a waste of time to watching a meaningful movie and reflecting what Neo feels about the world? Life is all about looking forward to the uncertain future ahead, not constantly looking into every detail of one’s life/ past. Although I am a historian, I strongly believe that people should not linger around the word – “if only???” If people keep saying “if only”, then all it brings along with it is sadness and the “hurt” feeling of regret of missed opportunities.

This movie is not just a comedy, but one that actually tries to force the viewers to re-think their own purpose of life – this is something that people in HK had lost. All they think about is money, money and money, rather than better things in life – happiness. Sometimes I wonder, why the hell do people keep planning this and that, when you do not even know about what lies ahead tomorrow. Why does life has to be so routine? Wait, if I go on like this I might become extreme like Wong Kar Wai, so let’s stop there.

One great scene is when Eason is holding a message in a bottle commenting the director main theme – “the future is for the brave”. In the offset of all these unfortunate events recently – tsunami, this is a single line of great importance for humanity to realize that – life is indeed too short to be unhappy. Once again, its Francis Ng that steal the show in yet another natural, yet cool performance. I really feel that he can play any role and pass with flying colours. In a touching performance as a mental disorder person unable to come to terms with his own mistakes. This is exactly why I believe that no matter what happen in life – there is always a tomorrow ahead – not knowing perhaps is the magical aspect of life.

Eason continues to go one step at a time, while Joey continues to play the same role over and over again. I wonder whether she can really act at all? Sure, she has a good voice, but playing a role that is so familiar can get quite annoying. As I have say critically of Ah Sa, where she changed the way she act after my comments of her having a lack of future if she continues as she is (I know she didn’t read it, but somehow she changed her acting style in Leave Me Alone). JOEY YUNG, yes I like your singing, but if you do want to stay in the hunt for the QUEEN of boxoffice, please try a more challenging role?

Movies are made usually for commercial success and it has turn HK movies into a popstar thing – meaning down the shit hole. While 2004 was a bleak year with the exception of a few good ones, 2005 looks quite good by starting with a movie like this, that not only highlights a meaningful aspect of life, but also showing how commercial cinema can still make a movie that satisfy Neo. Perhaps Neo only liked the movie because it shares his own view of life and the world, then again who knows? So what should Neo say in this review that will convince you to give this a try and not ignore it… em… there is a fast editing/ cutting sex scene… cough cough… so just go and watch it.

I rate it 8.5/10

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Crazy 'n the City
(opens January 14th)
Genre: Romance
Director: James Yuen Sai-Sang
Cast: Eason Chan Yik-Shun, Joey Yung Tso-Yi, Francis Ng Jun-Yu, Lam Suet, Kara Hui (Wai Ying-Hung), Alex Fong Chung-Shun
Reviewed by Andrew (Neo), February 2005